Viola Barnes

Viola (Olie) Virginia Barnes passed peacefully away on May 19th surrounded by her family.

Viola was born January 11, 1932 in Rendon, Texas to Alfonso Sansom and Annie Harris.

After attending Texas Tech University, she moved to Midland, Texas where she raised her family. Viola moved to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1969, where she attended Chaminade College and received her B.A. in Psychology. Her academic accomplishments included: Montessori certification, special education certification, and alcohol and drug dependency counseling. Viola was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, a sustaining member of the Junior League, a hospice volunteer, and a foster grandparent in Midland Independent School District. She taught school at Hawaii School for Girls (La Pietra) before moving back to Midland to participate in oil and gas investments.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Laurie Barnes Barr, sister Juanita, and brother Noble.

She is survived by her children, Christy Barnes Motycka and her husband Rick, Elaine Barnes, Steven Clement Barnes, all of Midland, Dr. Julie Barnes and her husband Matthew Conlon of New York, her dear friend, John Busley, siblings Ella Mae Capps and James Harris. Her grandchildren are Craig Barr and wife Shana, Zach Reid and wife Jen, Taylor Barr, Thomas Barr, Micky Ray and wife Megan, Jessie Ray, Sarah Smith and husband Phillip, Rachel Ray and fiancé Holten Campbell, Chandler Mallams, T. C. Byrom and Teresa Byrom. Her six great-grandchildren are Jack and Ryan Barr, Austin and Katie Reid, and Jacob and Joseph Ray. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Known by family as "Tutu" (grandmother in Hawaiian), she was truly beloved by family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 23 at 1:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity in Midland. Ellis Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements with burial at Resthaven Memorial Park.

To place online condolences please visit www.mem.com.