Betty Belle (Martin) Barnes

Betty Martin Barnes, 97, died Wednesday morning after a period of declining health.

She was born Betty Belle Martin in Yadkin County, the last surviving child of John Frank Martin and Gertrude Allgood Martin.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Barnes whom she married in 1945. She was also preceded in death by five sisters, Ruth Steelman, Doris Martin, Faye Hilton, Joan Martin, and Mary Brock; three brothers Roger Martin, Fred Martin, and Paul Martin; three brothers-in-law Clyde Steelman, William Hilton, and R.P. Martin; two sisters-in-law Frances Martin and Anna Martin. She was also preceded in death by son-in-law Steve Sheffield.

Betty is survived by her children John Barnes (Joan) of Westfield and Jane Sheffield (Bob Berg) of Woodstock, GA, four grandchildren, Aaron Sheffield, Adam Sheffield (Meghann), Jackson Barnes (Ariane), and Carla Blazek (Matt), and six great-grandchildren, William, Henry, Emma, and Charlotte Sheffield, Alice Barnes, and Charlotte Blazek. She is also survived by brother-in-law John Brock and sister-in-law Phyllis Parkerson, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Betty was raised on a tobacco farm in Yadkin County where she was accustomed to hard work and living without such modern conveniences as running water and an indoor toilet. She was a 1944 graduate of Courtney High School. In 1948, Betty and Jack lived in Venezuela for three years where Jack worked for a British tobacco company. In 1961, her family moved to King, NC when Jack took a job as an Agricultural Extension agent in Stokes County. Like many mothers in her day, Betty was a stay-at-home mom, but did join the workforce, working in retail, when her children were a little older.

Betty was an active member of the First Baptist Church of King since 1961, where among many activities she sang in the choir. She was a charter member of the King of Spades Garden Club 1962.

Betty was rarely idle and loved sewing and gardening. She loved doing crafts, becoming especially skilled at flower arranging. She was an avid fan of jigsaw puzzles. In addition to her volunteer work at church, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels and at the original Stokes Art Market. She and Jack loved to travel and visited all 50 states and spent many Januarys at Myrtle Beach. Betty never met a stranger, would strike up a conversation with anyone, and was always willing to help people.

Slate Funeral Home in King is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday November 16 with visitation following at the First Baptist Church in King. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to The First Baptist Church of King, NC

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