Obituary of Sylvia Barnes

Sylvia V. Barnes, 81, of Rome, passed away early evening Friday, May 13, 2022, at the Colonial Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Rome after numerous visits that day from her loving husband, Roy, and son, Harold. She was born in Lee Center on June 1, 1940, a daughter of the late Lambert and Vera (Conover) Hall. Sylvia was a graduate of Rome Free Academy. She was united in marriage to Leroy Barnes on August 2, 1962. Roy and Sylvia enjoyed a blessed union and loving union of nearly 60 years. Surviving besides her loving husband, Roy, are three sons, Rickard (Karen), Dan (friend Deb) and Harold Barnes; her sister, Linda McDonald; nine grandchildren, Jason, Jessica, Heather, Kayla, Matthew, Steven, Dustin, Braytin and Brett and eleven great-grandchildren; a very special cousin, Earl Webb; and many nieces and nephews. Sylvia was the most wonderful, sweet and caring wife, daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, cousin, neighbor and friend. Sylvia worked for Everett Arthur Law Firm and General Electric Radio prior to getting married. She then concentrated on raising her family and helping the Rome community while teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir at Calvary Methodist Church and being a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. While working as a cashier at the old Grand Union Grocery Store, she enjoyed interfacing with customers and brightening their day with her warm smile and kind mannerisms. As her family got older, she conducted many home parties, popular in 1970s. She would travel locally to accommodating families and display Bee Line Fashions, Tupperware and whatever was popular at the time. She absolutely enjoyed doing these home shows and naturally she was her own best customer. Sylvia always supported her entire family at sporting and school events throughout their academic years, no mind if it was youth hockey at 6:00 a.m., Fran Allison Basketball, simultaneous Pop Warner Football games at two different locations, orchestra/band, tennis in the hot sun, football on a cold October night, field hockey, or soccer in the rain. Always in attendance, winning or losing was not important to Sylvia. She always stressed the importance of being a team member and enjoying the moments with your friends. This dedication and enthusiasm carried down to her grandchildren. Sylvia had a deep love for all animals, especially dogs and cats. This admiration showed in the many she raised, loved, and cared for over the years. The respect and devotion began in her childhood days during visits to Aunt Arvilla’s farm and tending to her goats. She was extremely talented with arts and crafts such as needle point, leather or making any kind of nick knacks. With Sylvia’s patience and unique ability to just pick things up she became very skillful with oil paints after attending classes at the Rome Art and Community Center. This talent is obvious by the paintings at her home and those of her children. The world has lost a truly special person and heaven received an angel. Funerals services will be held on Friday, May 20th at 1:00 p.m. at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rome Humane Society, 6247 Lamphear Rd., Rome NY 13440.