Pastor Jerry Franklin Barnes

Pastor Jerry Franklin Barnes passed away Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Ochsner Scott Regional Hospital in Morton, MS.  Visitation will be held Friday, September 15, 2023, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Wolf Funeral Services in Morton, MS.  Services will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 10:00am at the Wolf Funeral Services Chapel in Morton. Burial will follow at Gasque Chapel Cemetery in the Lorena community, Pulaski, MS. Rev Jerry Farr, Rev Joe Hanna & Rev Milton Coons will officiate the Service.  Pastor Josh Barnett, Jesse Mizell & Brian Mizell will officiate the graveside service all under the direction of Wolf Funeral Home.

Jerry was born on January 7, 1941, in the two-bedroom family home in the Lorena Community of Pulaski, in Smith County MS. He lived there with his mom, dad, grandma and 5 siblings. He lost both his parents very early in life yet he still found the value of family, friends, church and most importantly, a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Growing up he loved hunting, fishing and camping on the creek bank with his buddies. After he graduated from Burns High School, he went to Texas to visit his brothers & sister. He quickly found a life for himself in Texas. Within days, he was employed by a man that became a mentor, James E. Keith, at Ambox, Inc. He started his 25-year tenure there sweeping floors, but quickly moved through the ranks and became a purchasing agent. He loved his job there!

Soon after moving to Texas, he met and married the love of his life, Emily Dasch Barnes on September 2, 1960. They were married 63 years and 8 days. In 1985 Jerry followed the call of the Lord on his life and went into full time ministry. It was a huge leap of faith, but one he knew he was doing right! Initially, Jerry was an associate pastor at Living Stones Church in Alvin, TX. He worked with Pastor Al Jandl there. Pastor Al was very influential in teaching and guiding Jerry into his own ministry.

In 1989, Jerry left Living Stones Church and followed the calling of God which led he and Emily to College Station, TX. In 1990 he began pastoring in the United Methodist Church. He pastored Douglasville UMC, Union Chapel UMC, Buchanan UMC, Waskom UMC, all in Texas. Then in 2000 he moved to Mississippi after the death of his brother, Billy and pastored Homewood UMC, High Hill UMC and Carr UMC before retiring in 2004. Once back in Mississippi, he and Emily built their dream home on the land that his Daddy bought back in the early 1940’s.

In retirement, Jerry traveled thousands of miles with the love of his life & his constant companion, Teddy, in their motorhome. They went to 47 of the 48 continental United States. Initially, in retirement, he filled in at churches that were missing a pastor. Everywhere he went he shared the good news of Jesus and the hope of salvation.

Jerry always had a smile on his face. He loved life and loved all the people in it.  He was a simple man. He didn’t require “things” to make him happy or meet his needs. He was faithful to church and all the friends he made along the way. He had a knack for making you feel loved and accepted no matter what circumstances you were in. God always came first in his life, but his family was a close second. He loved the outdoors; hunting, fishing, camping, boating, southern gospel music, car races, helping others and most of all making memories.

Jerry had a knack for remembering dates and events. It wasn’t uncommon for him to call and ask someone what they were doing on this day 15 years ago. The recipient of the call might have no idea, but Jerry knew. He loved old country music and southern gospel music. He could tell you all the members of a group at a particular time. He could tell you who sang most songs from the oldie’s country radio station at any given time. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents: Jessie & Ruth Barnes, siblings: Mary Grace Windham (CM), Billy Barnes (Doris), Jack Barnes (Gladys), Bobby Barnes, Dorothy Gibbons (Woodrow) & Dale Windham and great-granddaughter: Kandace Mizell. He is survived by the wife he adored: Emily Dasch Barnes. He is also survived by two daughters: Angie Mizell (Tim) of Lorena, MS, Melissa Hogan (David) of Dickinson, TX, five grandchildren: Jesse Mizell (Cindy) of Springdale, AR, Britney Amrhein (Danny) of Texas City, TX, Sarah Barnett (Josh) of Hot Springs, AR, Brian Mizell (Michaela) of Tupelo, MS, Jennifer Hogan (Jorge) of Dickinson, TX, 10 great-grandchildren: Micah Barnett, Kailyn Mizell, Judah Barnett, Kaden Mizell, Emma Barnett, Kenan Mizell, Ezra Barnett, Nate Mizell, Lilly Mizell & Kassidy Mizell, 1 sister: Peggy Windham of Homewood, MS and 1 sister-in-love: Dorothy Barnes of McKinney, TX, numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Pallbearers include: Nathan Brown, Keith Burge, Scott Burge, Paul Craft, Steven Craft, Channing McNeal, Daniel Wedgeworth & Justin Windham.

Honorary Pallbearers include:  Johnny Butler, Jimmy Burge, Jamie Comans, Jorge “Paco” Guzman, Johnny Pogue, Jason Richardson, Danny Salinas & Paul Windham.

If you ever want to do anything to honor the legacy of Jerry Barnes, live your life every day to serve Jesus, take care of the people God gives you and share the goodness of the Lord wherever you go.