Obituary 
 
Mrs. Vera Mae Barnes (Graham), "Mum" to all who knew her 
 
well, was horn in Saluda, South Carolina on September 8, 1930. She was 
 
the daughter of the late Isaiah and Maty Graham. 
 
Vera attended the Rosenwald High School in Saluda. After leaving 
 
school she married the late Artis Barnes Sr. From this union seven 
 
children were horn; three sons and four daughters. In 1955, the family 
 
moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To raise her family Vera worked as 
 
a nursing assistant at the Magee Memorial Rehabilitation Hospital for 
 
thirty years. She retired from Magee in 1992. 
 
At an early age Vera was baptized at Rock Hill Baptist Church in 
 
Saluda, South Carolina. She later became a member of the North 
 
Philadelphia Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1992. As a member of 
 
the North Philadelphia Church Vera was a faithful Deaconess and Sab 
 
bath School member. Vera took time to read her Bible and her favorite Bi 
 
ble texts were Psalm 23 and Matthew 25:31-40. The song "No Charge" 
 
was a favorite of Vera's. 
 
Life for Vera was "no crystal stair". She fought hard to support her 
 
family and insure that her children would have the opportunity to grow 
 
in the right way. She performed the task of mothering with courage, 
 
energy, and love that others could only wonder at but never exceed. Vera 
 
gave love not only to her own children, her fourteen grandchildren and 
 
eighteen great-grandchildren, but she was "Mom and Grandmom" to 
 
the neighborhood children as well. Until her recent stay in the hospital, 
 
"Mom" was still dispensing loving support to all o f the "children" 
 
both young and grown. We will all miss her not only for the way she ex 
 
emplified loving Christian Ideals but for the humble manner in which she 
 
did it. She sought no credit; she just did what she saw needed doing. 
 
With formidable courage and love Vera fought her way up those stairs and 
 
now goes to take her rest. To her family Vera was our guardian angel in 
 
the world and we can take comfort that "Mom" was a part of our lives 
 
for so many years and the memories of her love and care will always be 
 
with us. 
 
jm. 
 
Mrs. Vera Barnes left this earthly life on Monday, January 15, 1996 at 
 
4:00 a.m. at the Graduate Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
 
She leaves to cherish fond memories: seven children; Johnnie O. 
 
Barnes, Betty Jean Bames-Jackson, Artis Barnes Jr., Christine Bames- 
 
Bell, Vemell Bames-Boyd, Sylvester Barnes, and Vera Barnes, one 
 
daughter-in-law; Mary Barnes, three sons-in-law; Charles Bell, Darrell 
 
Jackson and William Boyd, fourteen grandchildren, eighteen great 
 
grandchildren, two sisters; Helen Graham and Louise Graham- 
 
Etheredge, three surviving brothers; Cooper Graham, Eddie Roy 
 
Graham and Robert Graham; and the late Otis Graham, one brother-in- 
 
law; the late Aaron Etheredge; and a host of other relatives, friends and 
 
the "children of the neighborhood". 
 
 Order Of Service 
Processional Hymn Scriptures: 
Old Testament - Psalm 23 Nezu Testament - Matthew 25:31-40 Prayer of Comfort Song of C om fort...................................... Mrs. Bennie Mae Reeder 
 
Words of Comfort Song of Joy Viewing Benediction Recessional 
 
Reverend R.C. Holloway 
 
- INTERMENT Church Cemetery 
 
 PSALM 23 
1. )The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2. )He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3. )He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4. )Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5. )Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6. )Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 
MOM 
Mom you are the heart of our family The love within our family is quite beyond compare 
It's a love that has no strings attached It's a love that's always there 
It's a love that means acceptance of each Person by the other 
A love that has been nurtured By a very special mother. 
With Love To Mom From The Family 
A NOTE OF THANKS The Family would like to express their gratitude and ap preciation to their relatives, neighbors, and many friends for all acts of kindness shown them during the passing of their Loved One. These and all other tributes will be acknowledged by the family later. May God continue to bless and keep each and everyone of you. 
Professional Services By: ROBERT LOGAN'S FUNERAL SERVICES OF 203 Bouknight Ferry Road Saluda, South Carolina 
 FOUR STAR GRAPHICS, IN C .* 1817 NORTH FIFTH STREET, PHILA. PA 19122*(215) 6 3 4 -8 7 0 0 *