Anita Beth Burchell Barnes , October 03, 1939 — June 20, 2018

Anita Barnes, 78, of Savoy went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 6:15pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at 11am on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Stratford Park Bible Chapel, 2801 W. Kirby Avenue in Champaign. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9-11am at the chapel.

Anita was born on October 3, 1939 in Chicago to parents Albert and Ella (Porter) Burchell. They preceded her in death. Also, preceding her in death was her sister, Shirley Faye Bates.

On June 29, 1957 she married Keith Barnes in Chicago, he survives. Also surviving are their children; Deborah (Barnes) Earwaker of Lady Lake, FL, Patricia (Barnes) Mercier of Mahomet, IL and Randall Barnes (Lisa) of Green Bay, WI. Her brother, Mike Burchell of Elgin, IL, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren (plus one on the way) also survive her.

Anita didn’t know the meaning of sitting still. She loved her Lord Jesus and her family and worked hard (although she never considered it “work”) to do anything and everything she could for others. If you needed something done, you would ask Anita!

She was a devoted wife…just shy of 61 years. She was a loving mother…involved any way she could be in activities from being a Brownie leader, working in concession stands at little league games to being a wedding coordinator for all three of her children’s weddings. And she LOVED those grand/great-grand babies!

Anita was a church secretary for many years, then became a podiatric assistant for 28 years. Throughout her life she treasured teaching Sunday School to 2 & 3 year-olds, directed VBS programs, blessed many people with her cake decorating skills and loved organizing events…heading up dinners and programs for hundreds of people just came naturally to her and she loved every minute of it and NOT for the recognition! She never knew the meaning of retirement as she went on to become top-seller in Avon, sold Reverse Mortgage and continued volunteering for anything she could.

A huge thank you goes out to the staff at both Carle Foundation Hospital and Meadowbrook Rehab Center for the excellent care that was given during her 6-month struggle with Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Although Anita did not have cancer, many family members have, therefore memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.

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