Joyce Delores Barnes

Joyce was born on Feb 22nd, 1935, the only child to Carl & Ruby Carter. Although she was a native Washingtonian, she had blood ties to aunts & uncles in Saint Mary’s County, Virginia, which was considered the country to us in the good old days. She attended DC public schools graduating from Cardoza High School. From there she pursued a career as a registered nurse serving the early years of her career at D.C. General Hospital. Upon the closing of D.C. General, she continued her years of service at D.C. Jail, administering medicine to the inmates, where she retired in 2014.

During her life’s journey she cultivated many friends and associates with her kind accepting nature and the sincerity of her warm infectious smile. Don’t take her for granted though, if crossed she could be a pistol and stand her ground like a pit bull.

Joyce Barnes left us quietly on Dec. 28th, 2022, at the age of 87. She lived a long full life, getting her High School Diploma, enjoying 66 yrs of marriage with her husband Elbert Barnes Jr., having a long successful career in nursing helping others, enjoying some of the finer things in life, traveling, seeing her children and grandchildren grow into adults.

Joyce was preceded in death of her son Ronnie Barnes who passed in 2020. She is survived by the love of her life Elbert Barnes Jr., son Keith, nephew who was like a son Anthony, grandchildren: Donnell Sewell, Derek, Shanila, Ramar, Romale, Rashad and Royvale, daughter in laws Angela, Trudy and Tish, God daughter Allison, Good friend Linda and a host of other family and friends, brother & sister in laws Beatrice and Eddie Hemsley.