Hannah Claire Barnes

Psalm 139: 13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My body was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Our beautiful and precious daughter, Hannah Claire, joined our Lord on December 13, 2014, in the comfort of her home with parents, Dennis and Martha, at her side. She was born on March 14, 1987, in Dallas, TX. Hannah was born with Down syndrome and was able to lead an inspired and full life achieving many of her aspirations. The day she entered the world, she filled our family with unconditional love and joy. Hannah had a vivacious personality that caught the attention of everyone she touched. She graduated from Highland Park High School in 2006, and at her highest of highs, she attended Eastern New Mexico University at Roswell. Hannah’s greatest joy in life was singing and dancing to songs by hip-hop artists including Brittany Spears, Lady Gaga, and most recently, Ross Lynch of R5. She also loved shopping with her mother, researching the weather and keeping up with many friends through Facebook and text messaging. She enjoyed attending her brothers’ football games during their time in high school and while attending college. Hannah was also involved with the Best Buddies organization and attended three National Down Syndrome Congress Conventions including Boston, MA and Anaheim, CA. In December 2007, Hannah experienced kidney failure. In May 2009, she was the recipient of a kidney transplant where her father was the donor. For the last sixteen months, Hannah battled illness from scleroderma which affected her lungs. Hannah’s spirit will be carried forward by those closest to her and the countless who felt her grace.

Hannah is survived by her parents, Dennis and Martha, and her loving brothers, Matthew and Michael, of Dallas; her aunts and uncles: Jerry and Jane Barnes, Jeff and Emily Barnes, Becca and Jerry Lawson, Gina and Scott Smith, Steve Newman; step-grandmother, Pauline Barnes; and loving God Parents: Jeri Hadsell, T. Kirk May, and Randa and Doug Roach. Hannah is preceded in death by her grandparents: Joe and Gretel Garcia, Charles Barnes and Betty Barnes.

Services will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at 2:00 pm in the main Sanctuary of Highland Park United Methodist Church. A reception in Fellowship Hall for the family and friends will immediately follow the Service. A private burial will follow. Pallbearers are: Jerry Barnes, Jerry Lawson, T. Kirk May, Steve Newman, Doug Roach, Scott Smith and Thomas Willis. Online condolences may be made at www.Sparkman/Hillcrest.com.

In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations be made in Hannah’s memory to Highland Park United Methodist Church – Dallas; Medical City Kidney Transplant Group – Dallas; The Down Syndrome Guild – Dallas; and UT Southwest Medical City - Dallas.

Online condolences can be made at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com