Ruth "Naomi" Barnes

Ruth “Naomi” Barnes passed away, peacefully, on September 8, 2024, at Silverstone Skilled Nursing Facility in Rolla, Missouri, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 28, 1929, to Della and Ralph DeWitt in Marble Hill, Missouri, and was the fifth child of seven children. 

In May 1947, Ruth graduated from Lutesville High School (later becoming Woodland R-IV) in Lutesville, Missouri. She went on to attend a cosmetology school in De Soto, Missouri where she became a licensed cosmetologist. On July 9, 1949, Ruth was married to John Franklin Barnes in Piggott, Arkansas and this union was blessed with five children. After a brief career in cosmetology and marrying the love of her life she took on the very important role as “mother” raising her five children for the next 25 years. She then spent the next 21 years working in the retail industry until retiring from Walmart in 1995.

Ruth and John spent 10 years living in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1963, they moved to Jerome, Missouri when they bought the T&T Truck Stop in Doolittle, Missouri. They eventually moved to Newburg, where they lived for 31 years before finally settling in Rolla in 2005.

Ruth cherished her relationship with Jesus and never missed an opportunity to share her faith with others. She attended the First Baptist Church in Newburg where she taught Sunday school and always looked forward to helping in VBS. After moving to Rolla, she and John became active members of the Greentree Christian Church. 

Ruth had numerous interests and hobbies, such as reading, writing, crocheting and working word puzzles. She was a true baseball fan of the Chicago Cubs. However, in the last few years she watched the St. Louis Cardinals. She loved her family and adored her grandchildren. Spending time with them, her nieces, nephews and cousins brought her such happiness. 

She wrote many poems over the last 35-40 years and at the age of 86 wrote a book, “The House on the Hill.” Ruth gave all the glory to God for the ability to write that book! After many years, Ruth began to crochet again. She crocheted 154 afghans that evolved into what she called “lappies.” Ruth was filled with so much joy in gifting these to her family and friends. Each stitch was a labor of love. 

She will be greatly missed by her (four) children; Beverly Stewart, Patty Howlett (Clay), Kenny Barnes (Lisa), Mark Barnes, and daughter-in-law, Jackie Barnes, all of Rolla, MO. Grandchildren, Brent Stewart (Tracey), Kristina Bradshaw (Corey), Lori Woods (Brad), Teresa Bleckman (Brian), Scott Barnes (Brandy), Amy Cuneio (Doug), Chadwick Barnes (Alina) and Emily Ball (Jeremy) and 14 great-grandchildren. To include many special nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, John F. Barnes; son, Michael Barnes, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Semma and Daisy Barnes. Five sisters, Louise Grimsley, Jane Rastl, Betty Hahs, and Nancy Crader and two brothers, Charles DeWitt and John DeWitt.  

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Greentree Christian Church in Rolla, MO., on Saturday, October 5. A visitation will be held from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm with services following. A private interment will be held at a later date. 

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Greentree Christian Church (Youth Ministries). 

Cremation Services under direction of Rolla Cremation and Memorial. 

(573) 341-0220

www.rollacremation.com