George Ellis Barnes, 78, of New Haven, departed this earth peacefully on Thursday, July 14, 2022. He was born in Weldon, NC, one of nine children, to the late George Lee Barnes and Ruth Eva Fortt Barnes.
George gave his life to Christ at an early age, being baptized at St. Peter’s Baptist Church in Weldon, NC. He completed his formative education in North Carolina. Upon leaving North Carolina, he relocated to Stamford, where he met and married Helen Mckenzie Barnes. He brought to this union, one son from a previous relationship, Michael. From their union were born two daughters, Stephanie and Allison.
In 1978, he relocated his family to New Haven, where he joined Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Curtis M. Cofield, who had also been his pastor as a child in North Carolina. He served in the Deacon’s Ministry, being ordained in 1996. He had a genuine heart for people, especially those in need. He also had a generous spirit and a love for his community. His service at Immanuel included serving as a Sunday school teacher, teaching the new members class, working in the soup kitchen and in the prison, and AIDS ministries. He was also a faithful member of the Willing Worker’s Choir.
He had a strong work ethic, sometimes working two and three jobs to ensure his family’s needs were met. In the early 1980’s, he formed Barnes Cleaning Service, which provided commercial and residential cleaning services for over 35 years. During this time, he employed and mentored dozens of young people in the community, often giving them their first work experience and sage advice. He later joined Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he retired after 22 years of service.
George grew up in the segregated south and faced racism and limited opportunities. Due to the barriers he faced, he strongly believed in the power of education as the key to success. While he didn’t have an opportunity for advanced education, he took every opportunity to educate himself, reading and studying everything he could from the newspaper, books, periodicals, and most importantly the word of God. He instilled the importance of education not only in his children, but in every young person he encountered. His proudest moments were watching his children graduate college.
George was an avid sports fan, enjoying various sports including baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, and boxing. He loved his Yankees and Lakers and was inspired by watching Venus and Serena Williams play tennis. He loved music, especially gospel, R&B, and jazz. Some of his favorites included the Winans, Richard Smallwood, Lou Rawls, James Brown, the Commodores, and Nancy Wilson. Family meant everything to him, and he enjoyed entertaining family and friends and showcasing his culinary skills, especially on the grill, deeming himself “the grill master.” He believed that laughter was the best medicine and many who knew him think he may have missed his calling as a comedian.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 50 years, Helen Barnes; son, Michael Little of Norwalk; two daughters, Stephanie Barnes and Allison Mcclary (William), New Haven, CT; two grandchildren, Ellis Turner Young and Mia Danielle Mcclary; sisters, Barbara Jean Perry of Whittakers, NC and Dottice Barnes of New Haven; brothers, Patrick Barnes of Woodland Hills, CA and Eric Barnes of New Haven; sisters-in-law, Sarah McCormick (William) of Fayetteville, NC, Vermell McRae (Johnny Gordon) of Dillon, SC, Thelma Stanton of Florence, SC, Carolyn Mckenzie (Anthony) of Norwalk, and Carol Leak Mckenzie of Fairmont, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his parents; siblings, Carrie Lee Williams, Madeline Rawles, Susan Starks, and Michael Barnes; and brothers-in-law, Charles Willams, Raymond Rawles, James Washington, Leroy Stanton, Carlos Perry, and Andrew Mckenzie, Jr.
His earthly life has ended and he is now resting in his Heavenly Father’s arms.
A celebration of his life will take place Friday, July 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, 1324 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. Friends may call Friday at the church from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Barnes family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com
