Germaine Barnes

Germaine Jean Cotten Barnes was born in Tarboro, North Carolina, on March 2, 1953 to Augustus Cotten, Sr and Ethel Fleming Hines Cotten. She was the second of seven children. Germaine was raised to love and reverence God. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 13 at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Hamilton, North Carolina. She matriculated at St. Augustine College in Raleigh, North Carolina where she majored in Business Administration. While studying at St. Augustine, Germaine pledged and joined the Gamma-Rho Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She graduated with honors on May 4, 1975, with a Bachelors of Science degree. Later that year, she relocated to the Washington DC area and served in the accounting and real estate industries. She joined the Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ ministry in March 1988, under Bishop Archie D. Headen. There she grew in the Word of the Lord and was elevated to serve as a prayer warrior, missionary, evangelist, President of Pulpit Attendants, and Deaconess. Germaine received her license as an evangelist on March 14, 2009. She was dedicated to winning souls for Christ. Even on her sick bed, she let her light shine so that the medical staff and others she encountered were able to see Christ in her life. She served faithfully. Germaine met Tommie Barnes, Sr. at a Sunday church service and that led to a beautiful and Christ-centered courtship. On July 12, 1998, they were married and enjoyed almost 15 years of marital bliss. Germaine was preceded in death by her father Augustus Sr. and her brother, Paul Augustus Cotten, Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted husband, Tommie Barnes, Sr, whom she affectionately called “Daddy”; three children and a son-in-law, Sharn Kinte’ Davis, Cheri Victoria and Royce Bouknight, Jr. and Edward Earl Vann Jr.; two step-children, Tabbie Barnes and Tommie Barnes, Jr.; and Shavon Vann Ellerbe whom she loved as a daughter. She also leaves her mom, Ethel Fleming Hines Cotten; one sister and one brother-in-law, Ethel and Eric Knight; four brothers and four sisters-in-law, Augustus and Armeta., Augustine “Alvin” and Ella, Sampson and Carrie, Mahlon and Alice Cotten; an Auntie, Rosetta Thorpe; five grandchildren, Leia La’Sharn Davis, Israel Naomi Walker, Eriyonna Lee Vann, Eliyah Marie Vann, and Royce, III.; 22 nieces and nephews, a host of other relatives, friends, and many other young adults whom she embraced as her sons and daughters. On Friday, January 11 friends may visit with the family from 5pm until time of funeral service at 7pm at Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ. 6200 Riverdale Rd. Riverdale. Md. Interment Maryland National Cemetery Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 10am

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Germaine Barnes

March 2, 1953 - January 5, 2013