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WOODLAND – Sandra Lee Edwards Barnes, born April 29, 1939 in Halifax County, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2024 at her residence in Northampton County, North Carolina at the age of 85. Sandra was born the daughter of Julia Parker Edwards and Charles Halleck Edwards. She was blessed to grow up in a loving home with her mother, her sister Barbara Ann Edwards and her brother Arthur Jay Parker Edwards, her aunts Mabel J. Parker and Mary Ella Parker and her grandparents, Walter J. Parker and Nanny Everett Story Parker.

Sandra was deeply dedicated to her family and worked hard to contribute and provide. She spent her earliest years working for several farmers picking cotton, handling tobacco, and stacking peanuts. In her teenage years, she worked as a clerk and soda jerk at West Drug Store and then at Williams Variety Store in Murfreesboro, where she dedicated her after-school hours and weekends. She attended Woodland Olney School from grade school through high school, excelling in academics, basketball, FHA (Future Homemakers of America), and Beta Club. Sandra cherished her lifelong school friends.

In 1956 at the age of 17, Sandra married the love of her life, Patrick Barnes, and they began their life together raising three sons. She was an incredible mother and worked tirelessly to provide for her family. As amazing a mother as she was, Sandra truly found her greatest joy in being “Grandmama.” Family holiday gatherings meant huge meals, cousins running through the house, and late-night card games; equally as special though, were the countless ordinary days and nights at Grandmama’s that gave all the grandchildren a special sense of “home” and unconditional love.

Sandra’s professional career began as a secretary at Woodland Olney School from 1962 until 1966. Sandra joined The Farmers Bank in 1966, beginning as a part-time teller and rising to the position of Office Manager. After the bank merged with NCNB around 1975, she was promoted to Regional Operations Manager from 1982 to 1984, overseeing branches in Murfreesboro, Woodland, Seaboard, Hertford, Edenton, and Hobbsville.

Sandra’s commitment to public service continued from 1994 until 2004, when she served Northampton County Government, initially as a tax collector and then as Elections Director. Her dedication also extended to her tenure on the Northampton County DSS Board for two years, and she spent four years serving as a Woodland Town Commissioner.

Sandra found joy in gardening, bird watching, crossword puzzles, and was an avid fan of ACC Basketball. She and Patrick enjoyed opportunities to travel to Hawaii, San Francisco, and Ireland. Yet, her greatest passion in life was her family, which remained her number one focus throughout her life.

Sandra’s legacy of hard work, community service, and unwavering devotion to her family will be cherished and remembered by all who knew her. May she rest in peace.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Patrick Tennille Barnes; her mother, Julia Parker Edwards; her father, Charles Halleck Edwards; her sister, Barbara Ann Edwards; her brother, Arthur Jay Parker Edwards; and her aunts, Mabel J. Parker and Mary Ella Parker.

Sandra is survived by her three sons, Parker Tennille Barnes of Woodland, Edward Joyner Barnes (Lorie) of Fuquay-Varina, and Pollock Henry Barnes of Potecasi. She is also survived by six grandsons, Phillip Tennille Barnes (Cheryl), Adam Granderson Barnes, Jacob Everett Barnes (Amber), Cody Elias Barnes (Kelsey), David Harrison Barnes, and Luke Hampton Barnes; and three granddaughters, Story Barnes Bradley (John), Sandra Kelly Barnes (Tabb Griffey), and Ellianne Barnes Wallace (Stephen). In addition, Sandra leaves behind three great-grandsons, Eli Alexander Thomas, Lee Parker Barnes, and Owen Earl Jenkins; and ten great-granddaughters, Kyleigh Nicole Miles, Scarlett Rae Griffey, Charley Mae Barnes, Layla Ann Barnes, Elliott Rayne Griffey, Stevie Rye Griffey, Blakely Grace Wallace, Peyton Idol Barnes, Willow Rhea Barnes, and Emmette Haven Wallace.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the Woodland Baptist Church in Woodland, NC on Monday, July 1, 2024 at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, Sandra requested memorial contributions be made to Sylvan Heights Bird Park, PO Box 368, Scotland Neck, NC 27874 www.shwpark.com 252-826-3186 or Woodland Baptist Church, PO Box 444, Woodland, NC 27897.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Rich Square Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Barnes family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.