Helen and Rex McBarnes
September 28, 2008
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
Rex David McBarnes was born October 11, 1926 in Carroll, Iowa; the son of Rex Regius McBarnes and Mariam Cole Hammond. Rex graduated from Carroll High School in 1944, from Coe College in 1950 and then served in the Army. Rex became a member of the Kappa Mu Epsilon, an Honorary Mathematics Society, in 1968. He received a Master of Science degree from Virginia State College in 1975. He retired in 1994, after 30 years in Education, from Prince George County, Virginia. Rex and Helen retired to Eureka, Nevada. Rex passed away in Salt Lake City, Nevada on May 7, 2007. He was cremated and his ashes will be scattered in Eureka, Nevada.
Helen Anne Bishop Rhodes McBarnes was born to James Watson Bishop and Susie Louise Hudgins on April 14, 1929 in McKinney, Virginia. She graduated from McKinney High School and then received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Madison College in 1950. Helen married Dusty Rhodes and had two daughters, Kay Ellen Rhodes and Lisa Sue Rhodes Essex (Thomas). Helen taught for 27 years in Prince George County, Virginia and retired due to Parkinson’s disease. Before her move to Nevada, Helen enjoyed travel to Canada, Mexico and cruises to the Caribbean. She spent her last year and a half in Iowa at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center. She is survived by her daughters and two grandchildren, Amie Elizabeth Essex and Stuart Thomas Essex. Helen passed away on September 28, 2008.
A memorial service will be held for both Helen and Rex on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Windsor United Methodist Church, 63rd and University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Joe Togger
10/01/2008
Hi Lisa,
I've thought about you a lot over the years. I've been in West Virginia since 1975 and to beat it, David Shornak lives about two miles from me.
My brother Steve called me this morning and told me that your Mom had passed. My first thought was that I would not be who I am today, with my engineering degree, if not for Rex. Rex gave us the math to make it and then told us to get a B average in college and go but don't quit. Rex told me he wanted to retire on a Mountain in West Virginia where no one would bother him and here I am.
The long goodbye to your Mom is over and you can smile now that she's gone back home. If you need help with your grief, call to the one who heeds the sparrow's fall...
Peace and Love,
Joe
Linda Wheeler
10/01/2008
I knew both your mother and father. I was the secretary and later the Food Service Director for Prince George County Schools. I got to know Helen when our office was a Clements. I enjoyed her company whenever I was able to enjoy her company. I knew Rex longer, because our offices were in the same area for many years. We talked often about many things. He had an early map of Prince George County that showed the areas my great grandparents had settled and farmed. I once told Rex if he ever got rid of the map to keep me in mind. Years later, when he was packing up to move, he gave me the map. I was very touched that he remembered me. I knew Rex for years before I knew he was a member of Mensa. He never made you feel like he knew more than you did, although I am quite sure he knew a lot more than I did. I never had a conversation with either Helen or Rex that I did not come away the better for having had it. They were both missed when they moved to Nevada.
Linda Wheeler, Prince George County, Virginia
Bill Collins, Va. Beach, Va.
10/01/2008
I just noticed the obituary of your mother and father,my sincere condolences go out to you and your family. I had Ms. McBarnes for science for a brief period (2 weeks)at N.B. Clements Jr. High, had some changes in my schedule and and ended up having another teacher for science. But looking back I must admit I did learn just for that brief period. My sister had her for science at Beazley Middle and she loved her and said she enjoyed every minute. I did not have Mr. McBarnes for a teacher but knew of him very well. Both your mother and father made a huge impact on the teaching community at PG schools for years to come. God Bless You!
Missy (Hale) Gates
09/30/2008
I just saw the notice for your mother and step-father in the Progress-Index in Petersburg, VA. I was a student of Mr. "Mac" back in the early eighties and considered him a friend and mentor. I kept in touch with him until they moved away and often wondered what was going on in his life. I never knew your mother, but I'm sure she was very special as well. I remember Mr. McBarnes (aka Elmer Fudd) talking about going back to be closer to where he grew up. I am sorry for your loss and appreciate that you took the time to put it in the local VA paper. Blessings and peace to you and yours.
gail v. fisher
09/30/2008
I remember Mr. McBarnes from Prince George High School as well as Mrs. McBarnes. They were both kind and giving people. Sorry to hear of their passing. They will be missed by everyone that knew them. God bless the family during this time of sorrow.