Obituary of Clarence Barnes

Clarence Barnes Jr., 78, of Chicago, passed away at Mercy Hospital on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Clarence was born on March 10, 1941, in Shaw, Mississippi to the late Clarence Sr. and Wyona (Thompson) Barnes. He grew up alongside his eleven siblings. At the age of 19, he moved to Covert, Michigan, with his mother and siblings. He accepted Christ at an early age. In April of 1983, Clarence married the love of his life, Audrey Keller in Chicago, Illinois where they settled down. In the late 90’s he became a Mason and was very proud to be a brother in the organization and wanted to be remembered as such. He had a long career as a truck driver, which he retired from. In his spare time he worked alongside his brother Joe at Smokin Joe’s BBQ, Clarence was AKA “Captain” among family and friends. In his leisure time, he enjoyed baseball and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs. In his final years, he lived in a nursing home and he loved watching daily, the Price is Right and listening to gospel music on the radio. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Audrey; his brothers, Joseph (Sheryl) who passed on the same day, as well as Willie and Robert Barnes; sisters, Virgie Barnes, Elnora (Leroy) Foster, Annie (John) Davis, and Pearlie (Charles) Gray. Clarence leaves to cherish his memory, daughter, Deloise (Calvin) Buries of Georgia; grandchildren, Joshua Booker, Sr. (Shalanda); great-grandson, Joshua Booker, Jr.; stepchildren, Judy Keller, Rodney Keller, Kenny Keller, Kevin Keller, and Melisa Keller; a host of grandchildren. He will also be missed by his brothers, Charles and J. B. (Antoinette) Barnes; sisters, Maggie (Jose) Lee and Ruby Tinsley and a host of relatives and friends. Services to honor Clarence’s life will be held on Friday, February 21, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home at 12:00 p.m. A time of visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m.