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James Earl "Jimmy" Barnes was born in Greenville, North Carolina to the late Willie and Annie Ruth Adams Barnes. He was a 1964 graduate of the C.M. Eppes High School in Greenville, North Carolina. At an early age, Jimmy was known as a trailblazer as he was the First Eagle Scout for the Troop at Cornerstone Baptist Church, trumpet player in the band and on the football team in high school. He was the President of his Senior Class as well as the drama Club. Jimmy accepted the Lord as his personal savior at his home church, Sycamore Hill Baptist Church in Greenville, NC and served as an Usher at his home church.

He completed his Undergraduate Degree in Pharmacy at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in Chapel Hill North Carolina. Jimmy was one of the many students who helped Black students attending UNC Chapel Hill adjust to attending a large University where there was very little diversity, thus becoming one of the Pioneers of the Black Student Union at UNC Chapel Hill. Jimmy completed his Pharmacy Internship at a locally owned pharmacy in Winston-Salem, NC. He was the first African American Male to graduate from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy at UNC Chapel Hill and afterwards moved to Greensboro, North Carolina and worked for Sampson's Pharmacy for several years before joining Revco Drug Stores in 1975.

He married the love of his life Patricia Miles from Burlington, N.C. Soon after marriage they moved to Durham, N.C. They enjoyed going out and trying new and different restaraunts, but most importantly sharing quality time with family. They also loved to travel together and traveled extensively with the National Pharmaceutical Association "NPhA" to various states to encourage and uplift pharmacy students.

In 1995, Jimmy completed his Masters of Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill. Later he joined Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem in Pharmacy as the Pharmacy Manager. He later returned to the UNC Health System in Chapel Hill as Pharmacy Manager/Human Resources where he retired in 2015.

He has been actively involved in his church; Union Baptist since moving to Durham in the early nineties. He was a Deacon and held many training sessions to prepare new Deacons on how to serve God and others. He was an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. where he served as Chaplain of the Beta Phi Chapter. Other organizations Jimmy participated in include the National Pharmacy Association, NPhA, Light on the Hill (L.O.T.H.) Society Scholarship Advisory Board at UNC Chapel Hill and the UNC Black Alumni Reunion Committee. He was also a member of the Cancer support group at Union Baptist Church in Durham NC. He was often a speaker to help other cancer patients and their families understand how to deal with cancer.

Jimmy had a passion for the sport of tennis and played competively until the age of 65. He was also a grill expert, especially the red snapper and chicken.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife Patricia (Pat) Barnes; his son Jimmy Ako Barnes (Maki) of Greensboro, NC; two grandchildren Anika and Sage Barnes of Greensboro, NC; a brother Donald Barnes (Vonzella) of Greenville, NC; two sisters Annette Barnes Parker (Clifton) of Jamestown, NC and Keisha Barnes of Chesterfield VA; Two nieces, Tenille Barnes McFadden (Corey) of Charlotte NC and Ashli Barnes Jaroscak (Joe) of Washington D.C.; two aunts Mrs. Velma Bratton of Thomasville, NC and Ms. Linda J .Adams of Greensboro NC; a brother in law Wilbert Miles (Wyonia) of Burlington, NC and a host of cousins and friends.

Jimmy will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, mentor and friend.

Jimmy's earthly journey was completed in Durham, N.C.