Wallace Barnes

Wallace 'Wad' Barnes, age 84, of Edwina, passed away suddenly Monday morning, March 5, 2012, following a lengthy decline and a sudden stroke on March 4. He was born February 14, 1928, in Cosby, to the late Alfred Barnes and Isabell (Fowler) Barnes. He retired in 1998, at age 70, from the County of Cocke, where he was employed as Landfill Department manager. Prior to working for the County, he was a twenty-year employee of A. C. Lawrence Leather Company until its closure in 1972. He was employed in the position of shop leader and served as union president. Upon its closure, he transferred to North Carolina and continued to work for the company until 1980. Wad was a constable for the then-Eighth (later First) Civil District and was elected by the same district to the Cocke County Legislative Body, where he served a total of 16 years until 1986. He was resolute in his efforts to assist in the progress of Cocke County and, in particular, the local hospital in the organization's early years. He served on the hospital's board of directors and assisted in the initiation of early management contracts and in the hospital's progress forward in its efforts to continue to upgrade, improve, and expand its services to the residents of Newport and Cocke County. He was a member of Bluffton Baptist Church in Hartford. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Eloise Cate Barnes. Eloise was retired from Cocke County E-911. The couple loved and worked tirelessly for their community and its residents. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the following brothers and sisters: Pless Barnes, Easter Barnes, Bruce Barnes, Zalmer Barnes, Hazel Barnes, James H. 'Jim' Barnes, Hattie Barnes Grooms, and Lillian 'Toots' Williams. He is survived by one brother Fred Barnes. He is also survived by his daughters Judy (Roger) Owenby, Phyllis (Lonnie) Dunn, and Sherry Hensley Burnett (Charles), all of Newport; grandchildren Casey Owenby, Stephanie Bennett, Byron (Carolyn) Ellison, and David (Kimberly) Hensley, all of Newport; great-grandchildren Whitney Owenby, Newport; Megan (Justin) Clift, and Macy Bennett, Knoxville; Adam (Michelle) Ellison, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Caleb (Danielle) Ellison, Newport; and Summer Hensley, Newport; and two great-great-grandchildren Matthew and Abby Ellison of Fort Polk, Louisiana. As well, he was preceded in death and leaves behind a number of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Wallace was cremated at his request. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.manesfuneralhome.com. Manes Funeral Home in charge

Wallace Barnes

February 14, 1928 - March 5, 2012