Ruth Beatrice Barnes

Salem - Ruth Beatrice Barnes, 80, died Thursday, May 25, 2017, at Salem Regional Medical Center.

Ruth was born November 30, 1936 in Lynn, Massachusetts, daughter of the late Harold and Bersa Stanger Sparkes.

Her husband, Robert William Barnes, Jr., whom she married November 20, 1954, preceded her in death on October 5, 2006.

Married to Bob for 51 years, Ruth was tested early in her life raising the boys while Bob was deployed overseas, then seriously ill for many years, even while she struggled with her own episodes of physical pain throughout her life. Yet, remarkably mature and compassionate, Ruth was esteemed by family and friends as one they could spend unlimited time with, and count on for loving counsel. She is survived by her three sons and their wives, Robert Barnes of Cambridge, MA (Debbie Buchanan Barnes), Steven Barnes of Columbiana (Jenny Evans Barnes), and Todd Barnes of Hillsboro (Becky Parliament Barnes); seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Ruth was also preceded in death by her step mother, Mary Gardner Sparkes, and two brothers, Tom and Roy Sparkes.

Funeral services celebrating Ruth's life and her entry into God's kingdom will be held at 7 PM on Saturday May 27 at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana with Reverend Mark Brungard officiating. Friends may call from 6 PM to 7 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. She will be interred at Zion Hill Church Cemetery, alongside her husband and his parents.

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." [Revelation 21:4]

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