Michael Thomas Barnes

Mike Barnes departed this earthly life on September 12, 2022. He was born on May 23,1957 to Paul and Gladys Barnes and grew up in Southampton County, VA in the small rural community of Joyner. This setting gave him the roots for some of his greatest joys – the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, preserving our  woodlands and waterways and watching things grow. His career was spent in jobs related to agriculture. Much of his adult life was spent in neighboring Sussex County, VA and life never took him far from these area’s country roads, friendly people, abundant woodlands and his favorite fishing spots. Even as he became disabled in his mid-life, he still wandered these special places he so loved and found reasons to enjoy life.

Mike is survived by his father, Paul Barnes, his daughter, Tricia Worley (husband Forest and granddaughter Laura Beth) and his three sisters, Pauline Elliott (husband David), Patsy Kanusek (nieces Jennifer Burke and Becky Mobley) and Donna Rountree (nieces Emily Rountree and Erin Seal). Mike grew up surrounded by his large extended family and enjoyed time with his many aunts, uncles and cousins; then later his great nieces and nephews. He was blessed with many good friends all over the region.

Mike was a proud American and always had the flag waving in his yard. Though never wealthy, he generously shared what he had with others and supported many nonprofits focusing on preservation of our land, rivers, oceans and wildlife, as well as care for disadvantaged and ill children.  In that spirit, memorial gifts can be directed to your favorite cause that supports those things important to him.

To celebrate his life, a graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on September 17, 2022, at Readville Baptist Church in Sussex Courthouse, VA with a time of fellowship and food immediately afterwards at the Sussex Courthouse Volunteer Fire Station. Mike would say “come as you are” and share happy memories.