Reflections Of Life Mrs. Edith Ann (Talley) Barnes, age 70, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on April 18, 2018. Edith was born on June 7, 1947 in Kansas City, Kansas to Roscoe and Helen (McKinney) Talley. She was the eldest of three daughters, Rose Marie (Talley-McFarlin) Bell and Deborah Sue (Talley) Hill.
She married Milton L. Barnes, Sr. in 1967 and bore a son, Milton L. Barnes, Jr. Both parents, husband, sister, Deborah Hill and nephew, Michael McFarlin preceded her in death. At age 7 years, she took private piano lessons and began playing at St. Andrews United Methodist Church – while her sister, Rose, sang along. She continued music lessons at the Conservatory of Music throughout her elementary and High School years.
While attending Central High School “Mighty Eagles 1965,” she played in the Orchestra and Band and sang in the Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers and Girls Glee Club – receiving the National Piano Gold Medalist Award 1963 thru 1965 and numerous District 1 Rating Music Awards. She attended the UMKC Conservatory of Music, earning triple (3) BA degrees in music Education, Instrumental and Vocal Music (Piano Emphasis) in 1970. She earned a Mastery degree in Music Education (Choral Emphasis) in 1978.
She was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Conservatory Honor Society and Mu Phi Epsilon Music Society. She joined the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District in 1971, teaching music education, band and orchestra at the high school, middle and elementary levels. When her music groups performed locally at regional/state contests, they won top awards because she set the bar high – designing professional productions!
Edith served on the District Curriculum Committee in the 1980’s and was chosen as a Stakeholder (Wyandotte Cluster) “First Things First”. Edith retired after 33 years of service. Mrs. Barnes accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at a young age at Rosser-Simpson CME Church and was a devoted and active member for many decades.
She served as the Musician and Choir Director at Rosser-Simpson CME Church, St. James United Methodist Church, Allen Chapel AME Church and King Solomon Baptist Church, and Music Director and Youth Activities Director of the Kansas/Missouri District CME Church. She received the 1987 Zeta Phi Beta Women in Religion Award. Her strength and faith in God made her overcome adversity and illnesses with energy and a smile.
Mrs. Edith Ann (Talley) Barnes survivors include her son, Milton Barnes, Jr.; sister, Rose Bell, 2 aunts, Ruby Antwine and Thelma Talley; 3 grandchildren, DeAngelo, DaVhon and Essence Barnes; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Arnold Hill, Mark Barnes and Finell Barnes; sisters-in-law, Sharon Dockery, Meta Barnes, Janet Davis and Janus Love; special family friend, Ursula Adams, and numerous family and friends.
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