Vertus Eugene Barnes passed on December 3, 2012. He was born on October 3, 1937 in Nash County to the late William Hardy Barnes and Mattie Ruth Joyner Barnes.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen Parker Barnes of the home, daughter Vicki Barnes Raper and husband Steve Raper of Rocky Mount, son Anthony (Tony) Barnes and wife Sandy Carpenter Barnes of Grimesland; three grandchildren; one sister Brenda Gail Barnes Thorpe and husband Alexander P. Thorpe III (Sandy) of Wrightsville Beach and Rocky Mount, two brothers, Jimmy Barnes and wife Grace Hedgepath Barnes of Rock Hill SC, Roger Barnes and wife Cindy Barnes of Huntersville; two aunts; brother-in-law Horace Parker and wife Mary Lynn Vernon Parker of Rocky Mount; five nieces, two nephews and numerous cousins.

A Memorial Service was held  Thursday December 6 at 6  p.m. at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home in Rocky Mount with visitation following the service. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to Sudan Shriners Children’s Hospital Fund, 403 East Front St., New Bern, NC 28560-4916 or Hospice of Nash General, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount 27804 or Men on a Mission at West Edgecombe Baptist Church 13821 NC 43 North Rocky Mount NC 27801.