February 19, 2016 

Funeral for Aline Beaird Barnes, 98, of Hartselle was Mon., Feb. 22, at First United Methodist Church of Hartselle at 11 a.m. with the Revs. Harold Thompson and Jimmy Bassham officiating.

Burial was in Hartselle City Cemetery.

Mrs. Barnes died Fri., Feb. 19, 2016, at Huntsville Hospital. A native of Gadsden, she was the only child of Effie Duke and Louie Beaird. After graduation from Gadsden High School, she spent a year studying piano, voice and organ through a New Deal program. She graduated from Athens College in 1938 as valedictorian of her class. During college she met E. M. Barnes Jr., a ministerial student at Birmingham Southern College and the son of her parents’ minister, on the steps of their church. They were married after his graduation from seminary in 1941. A talented musician, Mrs. Barnes served with her husband as choir director, organist and in children’s ministry in their churches in the North Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church. In 1981, after his retirement, they returned to Hartselle where they had served First Methodist Church twice. She continued her music ministry, singing in choirs and helping with youth music programs. She appreciated healthy cooking, composting, gardening and experiencing nature. After strokes at age 94, she lived at Columbia Cottage in Hartselle. There she valued relationships with caregivers and other residents. She worked daily crossword puzzles and enjoyed reading and scrabble. She assisted staff in leading exercise classes. She treasured visits from friends and family and the birds who frequented the feeders outside her window.

Her family is grateful for her gifts which they strive to carry forward: self-discipline, strength, love of church, affection for friends and family, faith, love of music, thriftiness, emotional evenness, life-long curiosity, acceptance of and growing with even unwanted change. She was preceded by her parents, her husband, E.M. Barnes Jr. and her son-in-law, Childs Berry.

She is survived by her children, Judy Berry and Dr. Ernest M. Barnes III (Nancy), both of Huntsville and Dr. Susan Lamb (Skip) of Savannah, Ga; six grandchildren, John Ingram of Atlanta, Ga., Gabrielle Lamb of New York, Dr. Joshua Lamb of Charleston, S.C.; Zachary Lamb of Cambridge, Mass., Ley Barnes of Atlanta, Ga. and Geoffery Barnes of Destin, Fla; and four great-grandchildren, Aidan and Ansley Ingram and Gabe and Oliver Lamb.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church of Hartselle.