Deotta Barnes

On Friday, August 16th, DeOtta Barnes, 77, of Wichita Falls,TX went sprinting across the finish line into eternity after a lifelong marathon of adventure and impact on the lives of many. There is little doubt that she made a grand entrance, in style and with a huge smile, happy to be reunited with her beloved mother, daddy, and son, John Carl…and held tightly in the arms of Jesus after a hard-fought battle.

DeOtta Sue Barnes (Poole) was born on May 23, 1947 to John Ned and Mary Ella (Smith) Poole in Wichita Falls, Texas. From an early age, Dee kept everyone on their toes: from collecting tadpoles and hiding them away so they could turn into frogs that filled their home or ordering a monkey from an ad, she lived by the principle, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Before she knew it, she was a S.H. Rider High school graduate and shortly after, became a wife, mother, and started a life filled with traveling and adventure.

On a mission to see the world, change the world, and give the world to those around her, she checked all of the boxes many times. She was a world traveler and appreciated the many cultures and beautiful sights, while also having a passion to make a difference in her local community as a savvy businesswoman alongside her husband, John Barnes. Together, they enjoyed classic cars and cruising the coast, antiques, and piecing together the family tree. She was a loving and dedicated mother, the friend people called first, and the cheerleader many needed on a hard day. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was passionate about her family, her puppies, and changing the lives of children born with a cleft palate through Operation Smile or Smile Train. Above it all, her love and dedication to the Lord shaped the way she lived and the way she loved others, constantly sprinkling the Word into every interaction, and hoping the breadcrumbs she left behind were enough to lead others to the Bread of Life.

DeOtta is preceded in death by her grandparents, her loving parents, John & Mary Poole, her son-in-love, Darren Miller, and son, John Carl. She is survived by her loving husband, John Barnes of Wichita Falls; her brothers, Jon and Ruth Ann Poole of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Ron and Vicki Poole of Wichita Falls; her daughters, Mary Elizabeth Barnes of Wichita Falls, and Lauri Miller of Wichita Falls; her sons, David Johnson of Wichita Falls; Eric and Angie Barnes of Allen, and Todd Barnes of Florida; her nine grandchildren, Cameron Tillinghast, Tailor (Barnes) and Peter Salat, Tanner Miller, Carleigh Barnes, Madison Miller, Riley Johnson, Parker Miller, Preston Barnes, and Aislin Johnson; her seven great grandchildren, Atleigh Melton, Adalyn Miller, Barron Tillinghast, Isaac Tillinghast, Ella Grace Salat, Noah Tillinghast, and John Campbell Salat; nephews and niece, John & Johi Poole and their children, Elizabeth and Ben, James Poole, and Kathleen (Poole) and Eric Benjamin and their daughter, Piper, and many friends that became family throughout her beautiful 77 years of life.

In lieu of flowers, please forward donations to Operation Smile or Smile Train in memory of Dee Barnes.