CHESAPEAKE — Romie Lee Barnes, 76, passed away April 12, 2011, in the hospital, surrounded by devoted family. Born in Southampton County, Va., Romie was the son of the late Romie Barnes and Sarah V. Monger. He grew up and lived his life in the Hampton Roads area, and was an active member of First Baptist Church, Mahan Street, Suffolk, for nearly 50 years.

Romie graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended Norfolk State University. In 1954, he was the co-captain of the 30-1 Booker T. Bears basketball squad that went to the National Interscholastic Athletic Tournament in Tennessee. He was an avid baseball fan, and for several years, was the third baseman for the Holland Aces.

A retired foreman of the Chesapeake Masonry Company, Romie was a bricklayer for over 30 years, and one of his proudest accomplishments was building the house in which he lived with his family, his greatest love, for more than half of his life. He was a former trustee of First Baptist Church and a former member of the church’s Brotherhood Ministry.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Charlie Lee Wilson and Gilbert Lee Wilson.

Romie is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Wanda Barnes; two children, Rhonda Lewis and husband, Todd, of Chesapeake, and Romie “Terry” Barnes and wife, Molli, of Derwood, Md.; four granddaughters, Mia, Kyris, Britani and Briana; one great-grandson, Jaylin; three sisters-in-law, Johnnie Wilson, Jacqueline Scott and Andrea Reynolds; three nieces, Lavern Ridley, Jackie Copeland and Roxie Wilson; two nephews, Charlie “Buzzy” Wilson and Eric Wilson; and three cousins, Manola Johnson, Mary Simmons and Edward Bottoms. He will be dearly missed by his extended family and many friends.

A funeral service will be held at noon, Saturday, April 16, at First Baptist Church, 112 Mahan St., Suffolk. Dr. Steven G. Blunt will preside. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens on Airline Boulevard in Chesapeake. Harris Funeral Home has been entrusted with the home going service.