Pastor Hancy M. Barnes

Pastor Hancy Mae Barnes, age 87 of Sanford, NC transitioned to eternal rest on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at her residence.

The Obituary
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” I Corinthians 15:53

Hancy Mae Herring Barnes quietly slept away into eternal rest on the early morning of April 6, 2024. She was born to the late Raphael and Mary Lee Herring on November 8, 1936, in Kinston, N.C. She was raised in Sanford, N.C. Lee County is where she received her education and attended Lee County Training School, known now as W.B. Wicker School.

Hancy Mae, as she was called by relatives and friends, later met the love of her life, Lonnie Barnes. They were married on October 28, 1958. They were blessed to be the proud parents of four daughters and two sons. Shortly after marriage, they moved to Hawaii to begin their journey as a military family. In 1964, they relocated to Jacksonville, N.C. After living there Mrs. Barnes, along with her husband and children returned to Sanford in 1979. She secured a job with Floyd L. Knight School, where she worked until her retirement. She loved and supported her family through countless trials. She helped in the nurturing of all and in raising some of her grandchildren. She did it all with so much love and care.

While living in Jacksonville, Hancy Mae dedicated her life to Christ in a tent service. She developed a genuine relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After moving back to Sanford she joined Little Galilee Holiness Church, under the leadership of Bishop R.M. Joshua. She became a great representative of God and her church. This “Woman of God” never met a stranger and didn’t mind going into the hedges and highways to win souls for Christ. No hour was too early or too late for her to lend a helping hand. If a neighbor or friend or even a stranger was sick, she would often get the call because they knew that she could get a prayer through. It was said of her that God’s glory and favor was all over and around her. She never forgot “the bottom” which is where she grew up. She had a true love and concern for her people there. She never thought that anyone was beneath her and undeserving of love and respect.

Hancy Mae Barnes was appointed pastor of Little Galilee Holiness Church, after serving as minister and missionary. She faithfully served as senior pastor for 35 years under the leadership of Bishop R.M. Joshua, then Bishop Mary L. Quick. Pastor Hancy Barnes served her church with the same love and compassion that she did her family and community. She made Little Galilee a spiritual refuge where everyone was welcome. She didn’t set out to make her name great, but the work that she did spoke for her. Her church was small, but her ministry was huge. Missionary work was her passion and she served as General Missionary President of the Solid Rock Holiness Churches for many years. She served well until her health began to fail in 2019. After failing health, she was honorably bestowed the title, Pastor Emeritus Hancy Barnes.

Pastor Barnes was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, Lonnie; two daughters, Linda Fox and Leilani Barnes Collins; one daughter-in-law, Cynthia Barnes; one grandson, Bobby Tollerson; one granddaughter, LaSheana Hunt; one great grandson, De’Andre Cotton; one brother, John C. Singletary.

The matriarch of the Barnes family leaves to cherish precious memories, two sons, Bobby (Shelia) Barnes of Cleveland, Oh. and Barry Barnes of Sanford, N.C.; two daughters, Terry Barnes of Fayetteville, N.C. and Nancy Barnes of Grovetown, Ga.; twenty-four grandchildren, thirty-eight great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren, several special cousins and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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