May 17, 2011

Ernest “Ben” Barnes, 88, of 902 Flintfield Crescent, Chesapeake, Va., died Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at his residence. He was a native of Corapeake, N.C., and the son of the late Irving Barnes and Prophetess Barnes. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Marie B. Sparrow, Sarah Barnes and Victoria Barnes; five brothers, Bill, McCoy, Willie, Edward and James Barnes.

He retired as a maintenance mechanic from Revlon, Inc. He was a member of First Baptist Church, where he was in the Excelsior Choir and Men’s Chorus. He was formerly of Patterson, N.J., and a member for 40 years at Calvary Baptist Church. He was a mason and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Virgie Mae Barnes, of Chesapeake; one daughter, Bettie Barnes Anderson, of Chesapeake; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; a goddaughter, Wanda Best, of Atlanta, Ga.; sister-in-law, Magdalene Barnes; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends who were like family.

A funeral service will be held at noon Monday, May 23, 2011, at First Baptist Church, 112 Mahan St., Suffolk, officiated by Dr. Steven G. Blunt. Entombment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery. A wake will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2011, at the funeral home. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.