Elder M. Barnes,

Funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at Victorious Believers Ministries Church of God in Christ, 624 South Outer Drive. Bishop Marvin C. Pryor, Host Pastor. Bishop Sedgwick Daniels will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Elder William M. Barnes Jr. passed away Saturday, September 6, 2008 at home after a lengthy illness. He was born March 18, 1920 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a longtime resident of Saginaw, Michigan and relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2002. Elder Barnes was married to Mother Willie Mae (Sewell) Barnes for 41 years. She preceded him in death in 1987. Together they raised their eleven children in the fear of the Lord. A diligent hard working husband, father and retiree of Chevrolet Grey Iron Foundry, Elder Barnes dedicated his life to serving God and his fellowman. His faithful service began as a Deacon, Ordained Minister, Church Administrator, Dean of the Sunday School Department of Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction #2 and 50 years as a Sunday School Superintendent at Victorious Believers Ministry in Saginaw, Michigan. Elder Barnes work in his church’s Sunday School afforded him the opportunity to minister and counsel youth and children within the Saginaw community. He took his church’s motto “A child saved is a soul saved plus a life” to the communities of Saginaw and Milwaukee. He faithfully attended church and Sunday School at the Holy Redeemer Church of God In Christ in Milwaukee, WI. Elder Barnes served as a teacher and advisor to the Men’s Ministry. Elder Barnes has faithfully served God living out his favorite scripture Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. His loving wife Mother Willie Mae Barnes, two sons William M. Barnes III and Melvin Barnes preceded him in death. He leaves in God’s care 9 children Angela (Wayne) Robbins, Milwaukee, WI, Norella (Kevin) Ar-Rahmaan, Janesville, WI, Theresa Barnes-Jackson, Flint, MI, Joyce Barnes, Woodstock, GA, Ettienne (Tyrone) Walker, Ypsilanti, MI, Milton (Lyn) Barnes, Dallas, TX, Derle Barnes, Detroit, MI, Mark (Mary) Barnes, Saginaw, MI, Sheila (Michael) Chapman, Saginaw, MI, 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Helen Richardson-Sanders, Flint, MI, a special long time family friend, the Woods family and a host of other relatives and dear friends.