Obituary of Arthur Lee Barnes

Arthur Lee Barnes, 81, of Roanoke, VA passed away on Wednesday May 24, 2017 at the Carilion Clinic.

He was born on July 28, 1935 in War, WV. His parents were Reese and Eunice Christian Barnes. His beloved wife Judy preceded him in death along with his sister, Juanita Southard and his brother, Robert Barnes. He is survived by his sisters, Pauline Stinson, of Iaeger, WV,  Geraldine Barnes of War, WV and his brother Bill Barnes of War, WV.

He did many things to make a living, including driving a passenger bus and cross country tractor trailer in his younger days. He was also a heavy equipment operator at Caretta, WV for the coal mines for many years. After that, he worked out of town putting steel roof beams on commercial buildings and retired from Clinch River, Tazewell, VA as a truck driver. He was a volunteer fireman and EMT in War back in the early days. He helped find and recover 19 people in the Buffalo Creek Disaster in 1972. I only heard him speak about it once but greatly admired his courage.

After his wife died he met my mother, Thelma Payne and they were sweethearts for 28 years until her death last year. When he retired he moved to Roanoke to his apartment near her house. She cooked his supper every night and they did many things together. He really never got over her passing.

Arthur loved Krispy Kreme Donuts, chocolate, chicken and dumpling, spaghetti, soup of any kind, pinto beans and cornbread and anything spicy. He did not have hobbies but he did enjoy watching old westerns, looking out his living room window, mowing grass until he could not, he liked to watch it rain, and took a lot of pride in taking care of mom's car after she died. His driving skills remained superb. He especially enjoyed  going on long rides with us and eating somewhere. The last good day for him, we spent in Franklin County and Smith Mountain Lake sightseeing and stopping to have homemade ice cream.

Burial will be at Grandview Memory Gardens, in Bluefield, VA where he will rest beside his wife. At his request there will be no visitation or service. Burial will be private. We will miss him. He did things his way and he always paid his way. May he forever drive the streets of gold.