Donna Barnes

Donna Cook Way Barnes, a resident of Somerset, Kentucky, previously a resident of Bradenton, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 10th, 2015. Donna was preceded in death by her father and mother, Lee Roy and Dora Julia (Morris) Cook of Bradenton, Florida; a brother, Eugene Cook and a sister, Lucille Cook, whom she never met (They were drowned in the 1926 flood in Okeechobee, Florida before Donna and her brother were born.) and Jimmy Way, husband and father of her children, a special sister-in-law, Suzanne Cook, a daughter, Julie Barnes Blacketer, whom Donna never met – she went to be with the Lord before Donna and George met. Donna graduated from Manatee High School, Bradenton, Florida and married Jimmy Warren Way of Bradenton. Donna and Jim were married for 35 wonderful years; and resided at their home in Bradenton, until Jim went to be with the Lord on February 28th, 1993. Donna and Jim were a life-time resident of Bradenton, Florida and were well known in the community in Bradenton. Donna was secretary to the publisher of the Bradenton Herald; secretary in Administration and Financial Counselor at the Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton. Jim was a builder contractor. Donna took an early retirement from Manatee Memorial Hospital after 28 years of employment. Donna accepted the Lord when she was twelve years of age. She and her first husband, Jim, and family were members of the Grace Baptist Church in Bradenton. It was at this Church, Donna taught Sunday School, was very active in the different Church functions, and where they raised their children to love and obey their Lord. They were ministered to by the Pastor, J.E. Pierce, whom was very dear to their hearts. On August 8th, 2001, Donna married George Henry Barnes Jr. of Somerset, Kentucky. He was a loving husband to Donna, a great father to her children, and a great Papa to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2004, she and George moved to Kentucky where they enjoyed working together in their garden. Donna also enjoyed working with her flowers. Prior to moving to Kentucky, Donna and George attended, and Donna was a member of Sara Bay Baptist in Bradenton, Florida. After moving to Somerset, Donna and George attended, and Donna was a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church. Donna had many interests, but second to God, family always came first. She loved spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Among many interests was her writing. She not only wrote poetry, but wrote a book, her biography, “If I Had Known….” In writing the book she hoped it would be a witness for the Lord. Donna not only witnessed for the Lord verbally to everyone she met, but also she witnessed to all by the way she lived her life. She and her husband, George, enjoyed serving their Lord. They enjoyed their life together with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. Donna was a dear wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend to all she met. Donna is survived by her husband, George; her son, James Warren (and Pam) Way II of Sarasota, Fl.; two daughters, Saronda Lee (and Eric) Bianco of Cookeville, TN., Nadine Barnes of Somerset, KY.; a brother, Louis (and Mary) Cook of Hayesville, N.C.; grandchildren, Saerica Lynn Root (and Steffon), Meghan Dora Hodges (and Carl), Brianna Courtney Bianco all of Cookeville, TN., Casondra Nicole Way, Matthew Wayne Hess (and Diane), Kimberly Mae Beam (and Mike) all of Sarasota, FL., Miranda Wattle (and Cody) of Somerset, Aaron Blacketer (and Billy Jean) of Burnside, KY., Brittany Barnes Phillip of Danville, KY.; great-grandchildren, Elliot James Hodges, Gabriel Boyd Hodges, Gracelynn Paige Root, and Liliana Kate Root, all of Cookeville, TN., Cailynn Mae Reed, Trenton James Beam, Wyatt James Beam, Bentley Wayne Hess and Fayth Willieann Hess of Sarasota, FL., Hailey Barnes, Hayden Barnes of Campbellsville, KY, Jolee Ann Blacketer and Paislee Jean Blacketer of Burnside, KY, Tay Phillip and Brailee Phillip of Danville, KY; two special nephews, Michael Daniel Cook of Tampa, Fl., and T.J. Flahive of St. Petersburg, Fl.; two special nieces Diane Cook Lowery (and Donald) of Smithville, Ga., Julie Edwards of Franklin, N.C.; and several great and great-great nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held from 12:00pm until 2:00pm, Wednesday, July 15th, 2015 at Oak Hill Baptist Church in Somerset, with the funeral to follow the visitation at 2:00pm with Pastor Gary Phelps officiating. There will also be a visitation on Saturday, July 18th, 2015, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm, at Griffith Cline Funeral Home Manatee Chapel, in Bradenton, Florida. Following the visitation, the funeral service will be officiated by the pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Jim Burnham. There will be a private burial at Skyway Memorial Gardens, in Palmetto, Florida. The family requests expressions of sympathy made to Oak Hill Building Fund. You are welcome to view the obituary and send condolences to the family at our website: www.lakecumberlandfuneralservice.com