Emma Bostick Barnes

Ms. Emma Bostick Barnes, 87, of Mount Airy, formerly of Sissonville, WV, passed away Sunday afternoon, August 4, 2024, at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem. Mrs. Barnes was born April 15, 1937, in Fayette County, WV, to the late Robert and Edith Jeffers Bostick. Emma was a longtime and faithful member of Aldergate United Methodist Church in Sissonville, WV. She graduated with honors from Morris Harvey College in Charleston, WV, with a Master of Arts degree. Emma was a certified librarian in charge of rare books at Morris Harvey and was a Kanawha County Computer Specialist. Upon retirement from the school system, she obtained her real estate license, then in her late 70s, and she was called back to school to teach special needs children. She had a lifetime love of books, which she shared with her sisters. Emma was the hostess of many family dinners and Christmas parties, as she was a fantastic cook and homemaker. Emma was also a great seamstress, who made Halloween costumes for her entire family. She moved to Mount Airy three years ago to be near family. They were truly blessed to have her for this time, and they were blessed to be her family. Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Robert Barnes, Jr. and Gary Lee Barnes; her grandson, Brandon Barnes, who was a son to her, as he lived with her since the age of 3; her brothers, Arthur Bostick (Eva) and Andy Bostick (Iona); and her sisters, Mary Baldwin and Grace Shelton (Hugh). Also surviving are her grandchildren, who she loved and was so proud of; many nieces and nephews; and many friends and colleagues. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Barnes was preceded in death by the father of her children, Robert Barnes, Sr.; and her precious daughter, Cathy Lee Williams. A graveside service will be held Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 2:00 PM at The Peoples Church Cemetery, located at 218 Gospel Time Way, Mount Airy. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Richard Loman. The family will receive friends Sunday from 12:30 until 1:30 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.