Earle Raymond Barnes

Earle Raymond Barnes, 84, of Chapmansboro, passed away early Monday morning, January 5, 2026, at St. Thomas West Hospital. Mr. Barnes was born on Tuesday, October 14, 1941, to Johnny Ephraim Barnes and Sarah Louise (Davenport) Barnes. He was the fourth of five children. He grew up in Ashland City and attended Cheatham County High School, where he played trumpet in the band. Earle joined the Army in May of 1959 and served three and a half years defending the Canal in Panama. After his honorable discharge, Earle returned home to Cheatham County where he met Mary Gail (Scott) Barnes one evening at Strattons. The two were married in November of 1968. They were blessed to become parents to Anthony Earle Barnes in May of 1970 and then Angela Gail (Barnes) Reimann in November of 1971. Earle was a federal meat inspector for the USDA and was transferred to Alabama where he raised his family and completed 27 years in his field before retiring. Mr. Barnes was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting for rabbits or deer, and searching fields, caves, and riverbanks for arrowheads and artifacts. Earle spent most of his free time outside where he loved to hike and explore. Earle also took pride in the many plants he grew in his garden each year. Earle passed his love of the outdoors on to his four grandchildren, Brittney, Alexander, Ian, and Nicholas, who were also a great source of pride and joy for him, as was his great-grandson, Jace. Earle became a member of the Church of Christ with his wife Gail early in their marriage, where they attended Bearwallow Church of Christ. While living in Alabama, Earle, Gail, and their family first attended Holly Pond Church of Christ and then East Cullman Church of Christ, where he served as an elder for 9 years. After returning to Cheatham County Earle and Gail have attended Cheap Hill Church of Christ. Mr. Barnes was a life-long learner and earned a degree in Physical Science from Wallace State Community College in his retirement. Earle loved to read and learn and educate himself, no matter what the topic. He emphasized the importance of education to his family as well. Earle leaves behind a family whom he treasured and who will miss him dearly. Earle and Gail were blessed to have enjoyed 57 years of marriage together. Earle is preceded in death by his parents; Johnny Ephraim and Sarah Louise Barnes, daughter; Angela Gail Reimann, brothers; Johnny Paul Barnes, and Bobby Donald Barnes, and sister; Linda Sue Bateman. He is survived by his wife: Mary Gail Barnes, son; Anthony Earle Barnes (Theresa), grandchildren; Brittney Nicole Barnes, Alexander Scott Barnes (Megan), Ian Anthony Barnes, and Nicholas Weston Barnes, great-grandson; Jace Weston Barnes, brother; J.W. Barnes (Kathleen), and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 10 AM - Noon, with a Celebration of Life Service at Noon, Saturday, January 10, 2025, at the Cheap Hill Church of Christ, 2840 TN Hwy. 12, Chapmansboro, TN 37035. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Earle, please visit our floral store.