Novella Hodges Barnes

Published 12:44 pm Friday, January 4, 2013

SUFFOLK—Novella Hodges Barnes, age 96, died on January 2, 2013, in Windsor, Va.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Sam, in 2007.

Novella was born in Washington, N.C., to the late Phate and Annie Hodges, the second of 15 children.

She graduated from Washington High School in 1935.

She and Sam raised their family of seven children on a farm outside Holland, Va.

Surviving children include Sam Barnes Jr. (Lydia) of Fairbanks, AK., Mary Ann Kimball (David) of Chapel Hill, N.C., Winnie Robinson (Paul) of Southern Shores, N.C., Howard Barnes of Suffolk, Va., Sylvia Bilby (Larry) of Suffolk, Va., Debbie Story (Ken) of Franklin, Va., and Bob Barnes (Karen) of Christiansburg, Va.

Grandchildren include Wendee Easton, Dean Barnes, J.M. Laserna, Jon Kimball, Julie Ellis, Paula Robinson, Buffy Moran, Brian Barnes, Jessica Bond, Katie Suthard, Kelly Barnes, Sean Bilby, Shelley Young, Stephanie Duke, Dana Jones, Isaac Barnes, and Samuel Barnes.

There are 28 great-grandchildren. Novella also is survived by five siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Novella will be remembered by her friends and family for her love of sewing and making quilts for all her family. She also gardened and supervised much of the activity on the farm.

She was an active member for over 60 years and former Sunday School teacher at Holy Neck Christian Church.

She also taught sewing to the local 4-H Clubs.

In retirement, she and Sam found great pleasure in traveling, both in the United States and abroad, visiting Alaska, England, Scotland, Africa and other places. They enjoyed meeting and making friends during those travels.

Visitation for Novella will be held at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, January 6. A funeral service will be held Monday, January 7, at 11 a.m. at Holy Neck Christian Church.

Memorials may be made to Holy Neck Christian Church, 4400 Pineview Road, Suffolk, Va., 23437. www.wrightfuneral.org