Johnny Matthew Barnes

A Celebration of Life will be held at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Hill Crest Memorial Park. Officiating the service will be Bro. Thomas Patton, Senior Adult Minister at Cypress Baptist Church, where Johnny was a long time member.

Johnny grew up in the First Baptist Church of Newellton, LA where he served as Training Union Director at theof 16 years old. He attended Newellton High School, lettered four years in football and also served as a substitute school bus driver while a student in high school.

After high school, he served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was the escort for the Base Commander at Fort Hood, TX.

He was discharged in the spring of 1953 and entered Northeast State University in the fall of 1953. After two years at NLU he completed Pre-Agricultural Science and transferred to LSU in Baton Rouge to continue his major in Agriculture Science Education.

Upon graduation and marriage to Bettye Gipson from St. Joseph, LA, they both continued their life together as educators. He, at DeSoto Parish Schools as football and basketball coach and teacher of Agriculture and Science.

Bossier Parish High School was his next venture where he taught Drivers Education, coached, was Guidance Counselor and Job Corp Administrator. He retired in 1986 after 30 years of service to our youth.

Before his illness, Johnny also served on the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Posse for several years.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Bettye Gipson Barnes of Benton; his daughter and son-in-law, Stacey Noble and Thomas Noble; one grandson, Trace Noble, all of Plano, TX; sister, Dr. Mary Barnes Harris; sisters-in-law, Alene Barnes, Janet Barnes and Marjorie Barnes.

Pallbearers are nephews, Robert E. Harris, Jr., John F. Harris, George Harris, Sr., Nicholas Walker, and Daniel Walker. Also, Heath Harvey, James Smith, and Richard Walker.

Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Chandler, Earnest Jackson, Dr. Bipin Turakhia, Dr. Michael Sewell, Tommy Robinson and Dr. Thomas Rodswan.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, administration and CNA’s at Promise Hospital.

You may offer condolences to the family by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.