Mr. Thomas Joseph Barnes, 98, of 110 Philbeck St. Apt. B-2 Shelby, NC passed from this life to his eternal home on Monday, March 18, 2013 at Gaston Memorial Hospital in Gastonia, NC. 

Mr. Barnes was born on January 29, 1915 in Wilkes County, NC to the late Marion and Katherine Hayes Barnes.  He went into the United States Army in 1942 and served in World War II.  He worked and retired from PPG Industries in Shelby, NC.

Mr. Barnes was a faithful member at New Ellis Chapel Baptist Church, were he served on the Deacon Board and the vocal choir.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of over 55 years, Sedell Hamrick Barnes; a son, Franklin Barnes and four brothers and five sisters.

Mr. Barnes is survived by four daughters, Margaret Sue Parks of Shelby, NC, Catherine Lawrence (John) of Cocoa, FL, Barbara Daggs of Pemberton, NJ and Beverly White (Ronnie) of Charlotte, NC; two sons, Thomas Barnes, Jr. (Cora) of Shelby and James Barnes (Zedora) of Winston, GA; twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren and twenty-three great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A home going celebration will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 3:00 PM at New Ellis Chapel Baptist Church with Pastor A.A. Ponder officiating.  Burial will take place at Webb Memorial Lawns.  The family will receive friends from 2:30 until 3:00 PM at the church on Saturday and at other times at the home of his daughter, Margaret Sue Parks, 105 Hanford Drive in Shelby.

Condolences can be expressed online at www.enloes.net.  Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.