Lewis Tolbert Barnes, 88, of Rutherfordton, died on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at his home. Born on January 20, 1928, he was a son of the late Walter C. Barnes and Mildred P. Barnes of Rutherfordton. Lewis graduated from RS Central High School and then attended Wake Forest University before being drafted and serving his country in the United States Army. While serving in the Army in El Paso, Texas, Lewis met his wife of fifty-one years, Fay Lunsford Barnes. After returning to Rutherfordton, Lewis was employed by Henson Timber Products of Forest City. He went on to retire as the President of Henson Building Materials after forty-five years of service. His greatest passion when away from work was trout fishing on Lake Lure. Lewis was a member of The First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton.

In addition to his parents, Lewis was preceded in death by his wife Fay, a son Lewis Tolbert Barnes Jr. and two brothers, Rae Eugene Barnes and Walter C. Barnes Jr. He is survived by his son Stephen L. Barnes and wife Lola of Rutherfordton, his daughter, Mendy Barnes Lloyd and husband James Lloyd of Carlsbad, New Mexico, and five grandchildren, Jonathan Barnes, Corine Barnes, Kaley Stanley, Paige Stanley and Riley Stanley.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Crowe's Mortuary & Chapel. The funeral service will be Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 2:00 pm at The First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton with burial to follow in the Rutherfordton City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to The First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton Building Fund, 246 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 or Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

Online condolences at crowemortuary.com

Crowe's Mortuary is assisting the Barnes family.