Vonnette "Vonnie" Lambeth Barnes

Vonnette “Vonnie” Lambeth Barnes was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend during her incredible 97 years of life. She passed peacefully and went into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the late hours of February 5, 2025.

Vonnie was born to Arthur Lee and Vada Marinda Lambeth in Denton, NC on April 29, 1927. She graduated from Denton High School in 1945. Vonnie was always interested in furthering her education, so she took courses at local business schools and attended Davidson County Community College, where the younger students affectionately referred to her as “Bird.”

After high school, Vonnie moved to Washington, DC and worked for the FBI as a clerk. She was terribly homesick and returned to NC to be closer to her family and worked for several manufacturing plants specializing in cloth and clothing production. She also worked as a clerk for Lexington Middle School.

She was introduced to her husband, Harold Wilson Barnes Sr., by his brother Bill. She had met her match in love and determination. They were married on September 28, 1947, at the First Baptist Church in Mocksville, NC. They had two children, Carol Christina “Chris”, and Harold Jr. “Butch.”

Vonnie had many interests including gardening and traveling. She and Harold built their home in Lexington, NC and farmed the land after working full-time jobs. They traveled across the United States and Canada together. Vonnie’s favorite places were the beach and their home on High Rock Lake where she adored having family gatherings. Without a doubt, Vonnie valued family and friendship above all else. Her generosity and love for others was shown time and time again as a caretaker to aging family members and grandkids in need of her healing hand. To all her grandkids, she was lovingly known as “Momo.” She had an uncanny way of making everyone feel special and loved.

Vonnie was a Christian woman and enjoyed attending a sermon to hear the word of God. She was a member of Center Hill Baptist Church in Lexington, NC for 66 years.

As the wife and mother of veterans, she was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 8, Amvets Auxiliary No.13 and the VFW Auxiliary 3074.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Vada; husband, Harold; son, Butch; sisters, Alice and Pauline; brother, Tommy, and many other extended family members and friends.

Left to carry on her legacy are her daughter, Christina “Chris” Thomas; grandchildren Kevin (Cindy) Byerly, Trent (Katie Beth) Byerly, Jennifer (William) Shane Barnes, Harold “Tres” Barnes III, Jonathan Barnes, Casandra “Sandi” Citarrella, Jeremy Thomas, Amy (Robert) Eisinger, and Matthew Scott; great-grandchildren, Kayne Byerly, Dillion Byerly, Brandon Byerly, Garrett Byerly, Kaleigh Thomas, Maya Barnes, Jillian Citarrella, Braden Eisinger, Jamie Eisinger, and Zoe Smith; as well as five great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by several loving nieces, extended family members and friends.

Vonnie’s son and daughter were caregivers; however, over the last two and half years, Vonnie had many remarkable caregivers from our family who should be recognized, Trent and Katie Beth Byerly, Roy and Barbara Byerly, Brandon Byerly, Mason Byerly, Charles and Carolyn McKenzie, Wanda Johnson and Ann Adell Baker.

The family will receive friends at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington, Friday, February 14, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 PM.

The funeral service will be held at the Davidson Funeral Home Lexington Chapel on February 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Sandy Young and Rev. Brian Alexander officiating, and burial following at Forest Hill Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the Samaritan’s Purse .

Condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net

Her presence will forever remain in our hearts.