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In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Retired Nurse
Mother Vergerine “Vergie” Barnes
“Queen Lady Butterfly”
Vergerine Withers-Barnes, lovingly known to all as “Vergie or Nannie” was born in East St Louis, Illinois on January 26, 1932, to Booker T Withers and Augusta Lewis. She graduated from Lincoln HS in East St Louis, IL. Vergie moved to Seattle in the early 1950’s, where she met and married Gilbert “Barney” Barnes, Jr., the love of her life and father of her children.
Mother shared her dreams and aspirations that she wanted to be a lawyer. She often spoke about her neighbor, Mr. Hunter would encourage her and gave her books to read, telling her to never give up and pursue her education. She loved to read and write poetry. Mother has the most beautiful handwriting, and she was always sending people cards with poetic expressions.
Vergie graduated from Edison School of Nursing (Seattle Central College) as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her nursing career extended over 50 years where she worked at Seattle General Hospital, Doctors Hospital, University of Washington Medical Center; and after 30 plus years she retired from Providence Medical Center and Branch Villa Health Care Center.
Vergie is preceded in death by Gilbert Barnes, Jr., parents Booker T Withers and Augusta Lewis; stepmother Cordia Mae Withers; sister Williestine Whitfield; brother Carl Withers, Sr.; Aunts Amanda Jones and Lillian Jones Fowler; Son in Law Ralph Carrington; Anthony Sam, Sr. who she loved as her son, Nephew Billy Jones, and Granddaughter Talisha Johnson.
Mother Barnes was a member of Rosehill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Shelby Tate and Lady Tate, where she served on the Nurses Ministry. Mother Barnes frequently attended Mt. Calvary Christian Center, COGIC to fellowship with her daughter, Missionary Patricia and son, Minister Steven. She enjoyed the outpouring of love and family fellowship she received at Mt. Calvary and she gained a few daughters there as well.
Mother Vergie’s passion in life was all about her family. She was a dedicated nurse who worked two full time jobs most of her life to provide for her children. She is known throughout the community for her compassionate nursing and nurturing spirit to those she cared for at work; and she was a mother to the many souls she met along the way. Queen Mother sacrificed unselfishly and was always willing to help someone in need. It was hard for her to see someone without and hurt her to see a person hungry.
Our Mother was the sunshine in our life. Her children revolved around her and she often referred to them as her “Beloved Heartbeats.” The love she gave each of her children was unconditional, and she extended this same love wherever she went to others. Mom taught me (Patricia) to give, give, give and be nice. As a child, I didn’t understand why you had to be nice to mean people! However, our Mother was a humble spirited person who never complained and went above and beyond to overcome adversity in the spirit of love.
We could always find mom at home after her long day and night of working. Her favorite pass time was “Sleep” which was often interrupted so she could listen to her children talk for hours about what was happening in their life. Mom taught us children to cook, clean, wash clothes, take out the trash, grocery shop, iron cloths, groom and dress ourselves. Mother cherished the time she spent with family, especially her sisters and grand/great grandchildren. She loved cooking, watching tv (court proceedings, game shows, movies, basketball, baseball, football, and boxing).
This past year, Mother Vergie was diagnosed with heart failure and placed on Hospice Comfort care. She remained in her right mind and never complained of pain until a few days before she passed. Our Queen Mother Vergie “Lady Butterfly” made her transition peacefully at home surrounded by the love of family.
Mother Vergie is survived by her four children: Brenda (Ralph deceased) Carrington, Patricia (Lawrence) Sam, David Barnes Sr, Steven (Judy) Barnes; Grandchildren Myran Barnes, Komita (Dr. Girvin) Liggans, David J Barnes II, Cesara Charles, Stephan Donaldson, DeVante Johnson, Yvette Walker; Lawrence Sam Jr., Michael Bissah Sam (Ghana) and 24 Great Grandchildren, and 10 Great-Great Grandchildren, 4 sisters Lillie Bell (Huey deceased) Lewis, Shirley (Lillard deceased) Beckwith, Estine (Billy deceased) Erving, Gloria (Cleveland) Dillon, 2 brothers Lydell Withers, Reginald Withers, 2 brother in Laws Bobby (Lillar) Barnes, Randolph (Barbara) Barnes, a host of uncles, aunties, nephews, nieces, and friends. Mother Vergie’s legacy lives on forever throughout many generations to come.
Rest in Heavenly Peace Queen Mother Vergie
Sunrise January 26, 1932 to Sunset June16, 2021
Scripture Reading
Isaish 53:1, v4-6 NKJVcri
Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
John 14:1-6; NKJV
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
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