Gordan Franklin Barnes

Gordon Franklin Barnes 81, of Emporia, Virginia left his earthly home and entered his heavenly home on August 7, 2020 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Nancy Wendell Barnes. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Terry Barnes Braddy and husband Bubba, son Douglas Gordon Barnes and wife Lynn, along with his grandchildren Hannah (Blake), Holton, Ethan, and Elizabeth Grace Barnes “aka his doodlebug”, his brother Donnie Barnes (Linda), sister Shirley Barnes Phillips (Homer), sister inlaws Wilhelmina Barnes, and Mary Hattan (Jake), and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Gordon Venable Barnes and Lois Harrell Barnes, and brother Ronnie Albert Barnes. Gordon married the love of his life Nancy, after only six months of dating, on January 18, 1959, six days after his 20th birthday. His mother Lois had to sign the marriage license for him because at the time you had to be 21 to get married. Gordon loved cooking, gardening, ball games, racing, hunting, the rescue squad, his church, and fishing. Before his children started playing ball he loved going to races on the weekends. Another one of his favorite past times was fishing with his buddies even though he couldn’t swim. If you had to describe him with a word it would be service, he loved serving his community any way that he could. He was a charter, lifetime and master member of the Greensville County Volunteer Rescue Squad and was an active member for approximately 30 years. He also served in the National Guard for 8 years. He coached football and baseball for the EGRA for many years. He was chairman of building and grounds at Monumental United Methodist Church where he served for many years and would always help cook for fundraiser dinners too. Gordons pride and joy was his family. He loved cooking for his family and watching any kind of ball game. He spent most of his time following his children and grandchildren to ball games. You could always find him with a wagon packed down with goodies for everyone at the field. When he was at travel ball games for any of the grandchildren on the weekends, he was considered the team Papa. He always had soup when it was cold and country ham sandwiches in the summer. Later in his life you could find him outside riding his scooter with the flag around the yard. While his loss leaves a hole in our family that will never fill, we will always cherish the thousands of memories we have with him. Visitation will be on August 8, 2020, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Echols Funeral Home, and the funeral will be at Monumental United Methodist Church on August 9, 2020 at 3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Monumental United Methodist Church or Greensville Rescue Squad. Online condolences may be made at www.echolsfuneralhome.com