Ethel Rita Barnes

Ethel Rita Barnes passed away on January 19, 2025, at the age of 89 after a long battle with Dementia. She was born November 8, 1935, as the 10th child of 17 children to Elmo and Elnora Sanchez of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was fun loving, kind and generous to a fault. In her early days she was a telephone operator for South Central Bell, and a Mary Kay Consultant. She loved to dance, bowl, and go on trips with her sisters. Ethel is survived by her husband of 68 years, Benny J. Barnes; son, Robert Barnes of Central, La; daughter, Lorraine Moore (Terry) of Central, LA; grandchildren who were her pride and joy, Amanda Cothern (Chase) of Walker, La, Travis Moore (Amanda) of Pride, La, and Christopher Barnes (Pilar) of New Orleans, La; great-grandchildren, Gavin Moore, Camryn Moore, Davis Moore, Colton Cothern, Nora Cothern, Lena Barnes, and Benny Barnes; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elmo and Elnora Sanchez, sisters, Pearl Lewis, Irma Perilou, Una Nunnery, Helen Walton, Charolette Keller, and Natalie Johnson; brothers, Elmo Sanchez Jr., Peter Sanchez, and Robert Louis Sanchez. Special thanks to St. Joseph’s Hospice for such great care in her final days. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815 on Monday, January 27th from 4pm until 8pm. A private family burial will be held Tuesday, January 28th, at 10:00 am for immediate family and her siblings.