Arthur Lee Barnes

Arthur Lee Barnes, Sr.83, died unexpectedly on March 13, 2020, in Modesto, CA. He was born on November 25, 1936, in Mississippi to Willian and Viola (Henderson) Barnes. He grew up with his siblings Curtis, Willie, and Mary Alice, in the state of Mississippi. After several years they set up residence in Chicago, Illinois.

He married his sweetheart, Evelyn Maxcine on January 5, 1958. A few years later he entered the Army. After serving 2 years in the military, he was honorably discharged at the Fort Ord Base in Fort Ord, California in 1961. He and his family settled in Salinas, California.  He worked for California Water Service until he became disabled with Multiple Sclerosis in 1974.

In 1980, the family moved to Modesto, Ca. He started a side business doing lawn care. Arthur and his wife became foster parents, they loved and took in close to 50 children over the years.

Arthur leaves behind 3 children, Arthur Barnes Jr, and his wife Cyndi of Salinas; daughters Annette Barnes and Monique Barrington, both of Modesto. 7 grandchildren, Sarah, Rachael, Rebekah, Trey, Jacob, Arthur III, and Ehren; one brother Curtis Barnes and his wife Dee of Apopka Florida, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his parents, brother and sister, he was predeceased by his wife Evelyn Maxcine. They celebrated 42 years of marriage before her death in 2000.

A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 27 at Seed of Joy, 1600 N. Carpenter Rd, Ste E3, Modesto; before being laid into rest at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella.

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