Photo courtesy of Paul Funeral Home of Washington
Washington, North Carolina
Jan 17, 1934 – Sep 23, 2025
Mrs. Alma Gray Mercer Barnes “Mema”, age 91, a resident of Washington, NC died Tuesday September 23, 2025, at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital in Washington.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday September 27, 2025, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory, officiated by Daniel Woods. A burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Seth Barnes, Jonathan Barnes, Matthew Barnes, Michael Barnes, Blake Ennis, and Tom Tison.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour on Saturday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Barnes was born in Wilson County on January 17, 1934, daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin Mercer and the late Betsy Lamm Mercer. On January 21, 1950, she married Clifton Alton Barnes who preceded her in death on September 8, 2016. She loved cooking, taking care of houseplants, her own family and her church family. She had a home daycare for many years and loved children. She chose to worship at Wesleyan Pentecostal Holiness Church. In addition to her parents and husband, Alma was preceded in death by her son, David Scott Barnes, her brothers, Ernest, Ben, Louis and George Mercer, her sister, Hazel Beck and a grandchild, Bryan Lee Barnes.
Survivors include her son: Steve Barnes and his wife Cheryle of Williamston; a daughter: Debbie Wood and her husband Randy of Washington; grandchildren: Suzanne Ennis and her husband Blake, Sara Tison and her husband Tom, Seth Barnes and his wife Kelly, Jonathan Barnes and his wife Rhonda, Michael Barnes and his wife Samantha, Matthew Barnes, and eight great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to Wesleyan Pentecostal Holiness Church, 7656 US Hwy. 264, Washington, NC 27889.
Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com
Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Barnes family.
Read MoreSo sorry for your loss Steve. I remember your family from First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Washington. where have the years gone? Such sweet memories of such a wonderful family.
Kim Hodges Losito
September 27, 2025 | North Myrtle Beach, SC | Friend
Ms. Alma was a sweet lady. She was the first person to welcome me into the neighborhood ,when I moved into the house beside her 4 years ago. It was a delight to get to know her. She will be missed. Prayers of comfort for her family.
Margretta Johnson
September 27, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family
Louise Daniels
September 27, 2025 | Washington
She will be missed! I loved her! She was the best!
Melissa Boyette
September 27, 2025 | Washington, NC | Family
Mike and I were Alma and Cliff's neighbor's on 11th Street back in the 70s. We could not of picked a nicer, sweet neighbor than Alma. Our condolences to the family.
Mike and Carolyn Asby
September 26, 2025 | Washington, NC | Neighbor
Sending prayers fir comfort
Frances Sheppard
September 26, 2025 | Washington, NC
Ms alma was a sweet lady. She was our treasurer of the resident counsel at the nursing home. She kept things going smooth. She will be missed.
Sidney Woolard
September 26, 2025 | Washington, NC | Acquaintance
Ms. Alma, you will be truly missed. Rest In Peace.
Ada Evans
September 26, 2025 | Washington, NC
Ms. Barnes was a wonderful lady. I pray that God watches over her family and friends.
Debbie Wood
September 26, 2025 | Locust Grove, VA | Friend