Herman Lee Barnes

Herman Lee Barnes, 70, of Round Lake, was called home to be with the Lord September 6, 2010. Born January 18, 1940 to Estelle and Fred Barnes, he was the fifth of seven children. At age 18, he married widow Dartha Sloan and raised her newborn daughter Carolyn Mountz and two young sons, David and William Sloan as his own. He worked as a pulpwood loader and then a trucker for most of his adult life. His CB handle was "Working Man", which fit him well because he was an excellent provider. Dartha and Herman gained custody of granddaughter Tabitha Sloan around 1980. In 1984, Dartha passed away and he continued to raise Tabitha until she graduated high school in 1988 and married. Prior to that he met and married his wife of 22 years, Laura "Libby" Alday in 1988, gaining three daughters, Anna Johnson, Shaun Williams, and Heather Lee. Together he and Libby adopted 2 great granddaughters, Tiffany Williams and Brittany Barnes as babies and raised them. He filled many roles in the lives of the people he loved, always being a greater man than he had to be. He showed that love, not blood, made families. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, one brother, and one great-great grandchild. Survived by a legacy of love, he leaves behind his wife, Laura "Libby" Barnes, four daughters; Carolyn Mountz, Anna Johnson and husband Johnny, Shaun Williams, Heather Lee and husband Jason, two sons; David Sloan and wife Patsy, William Sloan and wife Glenda, two sisters; Evelyn Syfrett and Gladys Fortune, 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 10, 2010 at James and Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel with Rev. Gary Barnes officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Free Will Baptist Cemetery with James and Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at Maddox Chapel.