Dolores Nell Barnes

Dolores Nell Barnes

Wichita Falls

Dolores Nell Barnes, 82, of Wichita Falls, passed away on January 22, 2019 from complications with heart disease. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 28 at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home (1917 Archer City Highway, Wichita Falls, TX 76302).

Dolores was born on July 22, 1936 in Brownwood, Texas to Earl and Billie Loudermilk. She was a 1954 graduate of Brownwood High School. She married Perry James Barnes of Rising Star, Texas on September 2, 1954. Together, they raised three daughters, Debora, Donna, and Rhonda in Vernon, Texas. Perry and Dolores shared 51 wonderful years together, until his passing in 2005.

Dolores's true joy in life was her family. She treasured her time with her husband. She took great pride in the women her daughters became. She loved her sons-in-law with all her heart. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought out her playful side. "Mim" invented games for them to play, taught them the "secret path" to the park near her house, and brought jelly beans in film canisters to keep them behaved during church. Even when her grandchildren were well into their twenties and no longer asked for Christmas presents, she would sneak gifts for them under the tree when she thought no one was looking.

Dolores also found time to be a great friend and have a little fun. She hosted and participated in several weekly domino and card games. She and Perry traveled extensively throughout the US and internationally. She had a witty and occasionally self-deprecating sense of humor. For example, because of an oddly placed smoke detector in the kitchen, she often joked that the fire alarm was her oven timer.

Dolores will be remembered most for being an incredibly sweet and caring person. Although she was very humble and never expected recognition for her good deeds, her kindness and generosity is evident in every aspect of her life. Professionally, she was a public servant. She worked for 30 years in the accounting department of North Texas State Hospital. She delivered Meals on Wheels every Monday for decades. She led devotional correspondence courses for prison inmates. She gave blood at the American Red Cross. She was a Hospice volunteer. She donated to just about every fundraiser at Faith Village Church of Christ, whether they were in need of money, food for a bake sale, or clothes for the Sonshine House.

In heaven, Dolores will be joining her loving parents Earl and Billie Loudermilk, her devoted husband Perry Barnes, her eldest daughter Debora Barnes, her sister Pat Walthier, and niece Ann Walthier. Missing her eternally are her daughters Donna Gunn and Rhonda Knox, sons-in-law William Gunn and Gary Knox, grandchildren Stephen Gunn, Kari Jo Ramsey, Christie Jenkins, and Bryan Knox as well as eight great-grandchildren. We were all blessed to know you.

Memorials can be made to Meals on Wheels of Wichita Falls or Faith Village Church of Christ.

Online condolences may be made at hamptonvaughancrestview.com