Oliver Richard Barnes

Oliver “Beany” Richard Barnes was born March 12, 1958, in Washington, DC, to the late Oliver and Vanita Morgan. Oliver married his best friend and the love of his life, Carolyn Barnes, on June 7, 1997. He leaves to mourn their three children: Terrence, Onȇsha and Anthony Barnes.

Oliver matriculated through the District of Columbia school system ending at Spingarn Senior High School where he excelled in basketball. During the summer months, Sherwood Recreation Center was the place to be. This is where Beany mastered his basketball skills and challenged anyone that would take him on.

Oliver was an experienced and expert driver. He could drive anything! He crafted his skill for driving working for various organizations including Woodies, Marriott, and Blue Plains. In his younger years, he was the owner operator of a 1987 Peterbilt. He later went to work for the Department of Public Works where he retired in 2016.

Oliver was well known and loved by his neighbors and community. When new families moved into the neighborhood, he was the first to welcome them. Oliver was known as the mayor of 14th street; Papa Barnes at the hospital and Mylo and Remi’s (his beloved dogs) dad. They were small in stature but were his fierce protectors. They never left his side.

Oliver was a fighter! He overcame so many obstacles and never gave up. He was the proud heart transplant recipient and used the song by Donnie McClurkin, We Fall Down, But We Get Up, to remind him that God has his back and he’d be alright if he trusted Him. In 2025, he faced his toughest obstacle. He reminded the lead surgeon, “God has you and he has me, now let’s do this!” He told Carolyn and his family, “I’ll be back!”

Oliver leaves two sisters, Cenora White (Samuel), Vanita Jeter (Barry), and a brother, Deacon Steve Morgan (Arthinia). Six grandchildren, Nazeʹ, Tian, Nyameʹ (preceded in death), Royal, Zyaireʹ, Onȇya and Nehemiah and a host of family and friends that he cherished and loved.

Oliver won his last battle on February 16, 2026, when he handed over the reigns to God and took his much-deserved rest. We know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.