Gertrude Barnes

Gertrude Barnes was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on November 21 to Joseph Brown and Jessie Hudson Brown. Her beloved mother died when Gertrude was 13 years old. Her loving aunt Josephine Claiborne raised her.

Gertrude was educated in the Caddo Parish Schools. After graduating high school, she was employed at Barksdale Air Force in Louisiana. This is where she met her lifelong friend Odessa Lowery. She and the Lowery's (Odessa and James) moved to Phoenix in 1945. This is where she met as she called him her “Tall Handsome MAN” Theodore “Dickey” Barnes. They married in May 1945. After arriving in Phoenix, she was employed by several high-end resorts and also worked for Western Bell (now AT&T) for more than ten years.

In 1961, Gertrude decided to go to Cosmetology School where she graduated with honors. She then opened the Arizona Beauty Shop in 1966 where she continued to make the African American women of Phoenix beautiful until she retired in 1990. Gertrude had a strong faith and belief in God. She was a member of St. John Baptist Church for 30 years. After which she joined AZUSA Church. Prior to her death, she attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church where her nephew and niece Dauntae and Lovely Poole are active members.

FASHION, FASHION, FASHION, WOW! Gertrude had a strong sense of FASHION and STYLE. She was always immaculately dressed. Hats were her crown and glory. More than anything Gertrude loved her FAMILY. She is the last of the second generation of the Barnes family. She especially loved children. Family and friends always surrounded Gertrude. She never met a stranger. She loved to travel and would always enjoy visiting family and friends.

Gertrude is survived by two daughters Glennie Cole and Beverly Arrington and two sons Richard Barnes (preceded in death), Frankie Robbin Barnes and special nephew Danny Barnes. She is also survived by grandsons Jonathan Poole, Joshua Cole, Anthony (Christina) Hopper, Jeremy Arrington and granddaughters Ashley Nicole Snelling Barnes, Olivia Elizabeth Lopez, Terez Marie Nelson and Adrian Coriana Raczo. Her great grandchildren Dauntae (Lovely) Ronell Poole, Desiree Poole, LaShay Poole, Jaqua Davis-Holland (James, preceded in death), Josua (Jessica) Cole Jr. , Darren (Riana) Chambers, Javon (Caylah) Cole, Janae Cole (preceded in death), Jacolby Cole, Terrell Cole, Kayla Cole, Ranieka Hopper (preceded in death), Shamonyae Hopper, Aliyah Hopper, Fatimah Hopper, Taji Hopper and Felicia Hopper also survive her. She is survived by her Great Great Grandchildren Dauntae Poole II, Trinity Zyah Poole, Beautiful Dream Poole, Makayla Poole, Gabriella Poole, Jaivon Holland, Jaiona Holland, Kamari Perkins, Taliq Stewart-Hopper, Janae Cole and Zachariah Chambers, along with nieces and nephews Rose (Leroy) Long, Christa Barnes, Faye Coleman, Ernest (Rochell) Grubbs; great nieces and nephews Juelz Barnes and many more relatives and loved ones.

A public visitation will be held at the Antioch Baptist Church (1622 N. 39th Ave. Phoenix) on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 10:30 AM. Her funeral service will follow at 11 AM. We will go in procession to Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery for her committal service at graveside.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Greenwoodmemorylawn.com for the Barnes family.