Betty Barnes Obituary

Betty Barnes
05/12/1939 - 07/08/2025
Betty June Millican Barnes, 86, passed away at her home surrounded by family on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Betty was born in Munford, TN, on May 12, 1939, to Sarah "Marie" Forbes Millican and Roy Franklin Millican. She and her two younger sisters, (now deceased) Billie Karen (Walker) and Vicky Lynn (Wagner) were raised in Memphis. In 1954, the family moved to Missouri. After graduating from Brentwood High School (1957), she worked as a chair-side dental assistant. In 1962, she became a stewardess with United Air Lines. Five months after she started with UAL, she met the love of her life. Six months later, at the age of 23, she married Frederick Watson Barnes, Jr., and his three young children: Debra Ann (7), Michael Clinga (5), and David Frederick (3). She and Fred had two more children: Kevin Dean, who passed away at the age of 51, and Colleen Denise.
As a very active stay-at-home mom, Betty was involved with PTA, Cub Scouts, and Brownies. While her two youngest children were in high school, she earned an AA in Accounting from the College of San Mateo, and in 1990 she graduated with a BS degree in Business Administration from the College of Notre Dame (now College of Notre Dame de Namur). While taking classes at night, Betty also worked full time. She started as an entry-level accounting clerk at the Burke Company (no longer in business) and worked her way up to Payroll Supervisor. After graduating from college, Betty retired, hung her diploma on the wall to admire, and joined several community volunteer organizations: San Mateo-Burlingame Auxiliary for Children at Stanford Hospital, Coyote Point Museum Auxiliary (now CuriOdyssey), and AbilityPath Auxiliary. Never one to sit idly by, Betty always held board positions and served as president of two of these auxiliaries.
Betty and Fred were married for 62 happy years. Betty loved her family and wanted them with her as often as possible. Unfortunately, most didn't live nearby. Besides her four living children and her daughter-in-law - Debbie, Mike, Dave, Colleen, and Corin (Kevin's wife) - Betty leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There will be a celebration of her life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the San Mateo-Burlingame Auxiliary for Children (P.O. Box 1765, Burlingame, CA 94011); the AbilityPath Auxiliary (P.O. Box 307, Burlingame, CA 94011); CuriOdyssey (1621 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA 64011); or the Parkinson's Disease Research Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/how-to-help/donate)