Obituary for Frances Kay Barnes
Frances Kay Chance Barnes, known as Kay to family and friends, passed away on November 20,
2021 in Edgewood, New Mexico. She was born in Wichita, Kansas on October 13, 1941 to Orval
William Chance and Melva May Brisendine Chance. She moved with her family in 1946 to
California. She grew up in the South Bay area before moving to Bishop, California the summer
before her senior year of high school. She graduated from Bishop Union High School in 1959.
Heeding the call of John F. Kennedy, she made the decision to serve her country by enlisting in
the United States Air Force. After basic training, she was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base,
New Jersey. She met a fireman, also stationed at McGuire AFB, who told her on the first date
they would be married. She was skeptical, but two years later on February 18, 1963, she married
Wesley R. Barnes in Cookstown, New Jersey. They were married for 53 years.
They were stationed in California and Virginia twice and in between they were stationed in
Missouri, New Mexico and Kentucky. While Wes flew all over the world, Kay held down the
homefront making sure everything ran smoothly. In 1989, Wes retired from the Air Force and
they moved to Altus.
Kay was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Altus serving in
many different capacities including Relief Society president. She was a member of Church
Women’s United which she served as treasurer for many years. She was also a member of Beta
Sigma Phi sorority.
She was an avid reader, enjoyed arts and crafts including painting. She loved to travel, especially
to visit family and friends. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching the Hallmark Channel,
especially their Christmas movies. She loved baseball and was a diehard Los Angeles Dodgers
fan having rooted for them since they moved to LA in 1958.
She is survived by her sons, Jeff Barnes and Blanca of Monrovia, California and Brian Barnes
and Kristine of Bonita, California and one daughter, Jana Dunow and Bill of Edgewood, New
Mexico, seven grandchildren, Hannah and Emily Barnes, Kaeley, Shayla and Bethany Barnes
and Billy and Baden Dunow. She is also survived by her brother, Ron Chance and Marie of
Reno, Nevada, nieces, nephews and many special friends. She will be missed by all.
The family will greet friends at visitation from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Sunday, November 28,
2021 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Monday, November 29, 2021 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home, Altus, Oklahoma.
Interment will follow at 2:00 pm Monday, November 29, 2021 at the Ft. Sill National Cemetery
in Elgin, Oklahoma with military honors.
Read More
2021 in Edgewood, New Mexico. She was born in Wichita, Kansas on October 13, 1941 to Orval
William Chance and Melva May Brisendine Chance. She moved with her family in 1946 to
California. She grew up in the South Bay area before moving to Bishop, California the summer
before her senior year of high school. She graduated from Bishop Union High School in 1959.
Heeding the call of John F. Kennedy, she made the decision to serve her country by enlisting in
the United States Air Force. After basic training, she was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base,
New Jersey. She met a fireman, also stationed at McGuire AFB, who told her on the first date
they would be married. She was skeptical, but two years later on February 18, 1963, she married
Wesley R. Barnes in Cookstown, New Jersey. They were married for 53 years.
They were stationed in California and Virginia twice and in between they were stationed in
Missouri, New Mexico and Kentucky. While Wes flew all over the world, Kay held down the
homefront making sure everything ran smoothly. In 1989, Wes retired from the Air Force and
they moved to Altus.
Kay was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Altus serving in
many different capacities including Relief Society president. She was a member of Church
Women’s United which she served as treasurer for many years. She was also a member of Beta
Sigma Phi sorority.
She was an avid reader, enjoyed arts and crafts including painting. She loved to travel, especially
to visit family and friends. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching the Hallmark Channel,
especially their Christmas movies. She loved baseball and was a diehard Los Angeles Dodgers
fan having rooted for them since they moved to LA in 1958.
She is survived by her sons, Jeff Barnes and Blanca of Monrovia, California and Brian Barnes
and Kristine of Bonita, California and one daughter, Jana Dunow and Bill of Edgewood, New
Mexico, seven grandchildren, Hannah and Emily Barnes, Kaeley, Shayla and Bethany Barnes
and Billy and Baden Dunow. She is also survived by her brother, Ron Chance and Marie of
Reno, Nevada, nieces, nephews and many special friends. She will be missed by all.
The family will greet friends at visitation from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Sunday, November 28,
2021 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Monday, November 29, 2021 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home, Altus, Oklahoma.
Interment will follow at 2:00 pm Monday, November 29, 2021 at the Ft. Sill National Cemetery
in Elgin, Oklahoma with military honors.
To send flowers in memory of Frances Kay Barnes, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Sunday
28
Nov
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Monday
29
Nov
10:00 AM
Lowell-Tims Funeral Chapel
1100 nEast Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Interment
Monday
29
Nov
2:00 PM
Fort Sill National Cemetery
2648 NE Jake Dunn Rd.
Elgin, OK 73538
Thank you for sharing your
memory of Frances
Provide comfort for the family by sending flowers or planting a tree in memory of Frances Kay Barnes.
Send Flowers
Loading...