Barnes, Gloria, Louise (Allcut), Dearborn, MI

Our cherished mother joined her heavenly home April 29, 2020. She was 88 years old.

Gloria was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on August 29, 1931, the daughter of Leland and Mildred Allcut. She was the youngest of two children, preceded in death by her brother, Lee, Jr. Her family moved to Detroit when she was four and she would spend all but five years in and around the Detroit area. She was a 1949 graduate of Southeastern High School in Detroit.

Gloria married her love, George "Bob" Barnes on April 27, 1957 after meeting on a blind date. They celebrated fifty-five years of marriage before Bob's passing in 2012.

Gloria was employed at the Detroit Gas Company before becoming a stay-at-home mother, a role for which her children are most grateful. Her dedication and love for her family were evident in her daily life.  She and Bob provided a Christian upbringing and she was a true foot soldier for her Lord.  When her children were more self-reliant, she went back to work as a librarian for the Dearborn Public Schools. She was happy to financially contribute to the household and appreciated that her job allowed her to get home earlier in the day for her family.  Holidays and summers free were a bonus.

The five years not spent in metro Detroit were enjoyed in Paducah, Kentucky. She truly loved those years (1967-1972) in the small southern town. Those were the salad years-a young couple raising children and making friends in the neighborhood and church.

Gulf Shores, Alabama became their winter home in their retired years. They escaped Michigan winters to enjoy the southern weather. Mom loved to walk on beach and collect seashells. They played a lot of tennis and again, met lifelong friends. Rumor has it there were a lot of fun margarita parties too! Their children loved to visit them in March each year.

Gloria's hobbies included tennis, reading and crocheting. She and Bob were members of the Dearborn Racquet Club for many years and enjoyed the game as well as the social aspect.  She also planted beautiful flower gardens in the spring, her favorite season.  Mom read the Bible and was very active in her church including volunteering time, handbell choir, greeting, Ladies Guild and Bible study groups.

She was a true lady with unparalleled class. She was warm, led by example and kept the peace. While her family admired her for that, they also loved her sense of humor and got a kick out of her dissolve into laughter.  Our lives are blessed because of our parents. The morals were instilled early and reiterated in how they lived their daily lives. Our mom was a sweetheart and sooooo cute! We are forever grateful to the "best mom ever!"

"Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:23

Gloria is survived by her three children, George, David (Kim) and Dixie; 2 granddaughters, Olivia and Eliza Barnes; niece and goddaughter, Debra Jones; nephew Gregg (Sandi) Allcut; one remaining first cousin, David Bleeke and many family members and beloved friends; preceded in death by niece, Dee Dee Milligan.

Her family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to her wonderful and loyal caregivers.

A service honoring and celebrating Gloria's life will be held at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Guardian Lutheran Church, 24544 Cherry Hill Road, Dearborn, MI 48124, e-mail: guardianlutheranchruch.org or The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777, e-mail: michaeljfox.org.