Vernell Barnes Vaccarella January 17, 1925 – May 13, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| View Guestbook Entries| Send Sympathy Card Vernell Barnes Vaccarella departed this earthly life on May 13, 2019. Born on January 17, 1925, in Walthall County, MS, she was one of seven children whose parents were John Watson Barnes and Myrtis Elizabeth Ellzey Barnes. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 18, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in McComb, MS.
Rev. Brian Kaskie will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. when the Rosary begins.
The Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Serving as honor guards and pall bearers will be the Knights of Columbus, family members and friends and burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery. Vernell attended school in Walthall County and graduated in 1944 from Progress High School. Soon afterward she started working as a nurse aide at the Tylertown Hospital and remained there for 11 years.
Through her dedication, talents and abilities, she eventually became an assistant nurse in the surgery room. On February 10, 1957, Vernell married Frank Vaccarella at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and moved to McComb where she became a member of St. Alphonsus parish. “Frankie” as she affectionately called him was the love of her life.
Together with his parents, they operated Vaccarella’s Food Market and later became its owners. Vaccarella’s Food Mart was an iconic grocery store in downtown McComb for a total of 62 years. Frank and Vernell worked for 32 of those years as a team until closing their store in 1988 and retiring to their home on College Street.
There the happy couple enjoyed many more years together tending their flower gardens, going for drives in the countryside and entertaining friends and family in their home. Mr. Frank’s death came in 2003. They had been married for 46 blessed years.
In her later years, Vernell spent her time cultivating the friendships of young and old within her neighborhood and church associations. She especially enjoyed the company of a group of ladies who call themselves the “Friday Night Girls”. They enjoyed each other’s fellowship and could often be seen sampling the menu items of restaurants in the surrounding areas.
Vernell was also known for her traditional Easter and Christmas parties where friends gathered in her home for good food and much fun. She enjoyed baking, and receiving a pound cake personally made by Vernell was considered an honored treat. As a generous supporter of the local Knights of Columbus Council 8054, Vernell often made donations to their charity fund and supported their BINGO events for the School Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Mary of the Pines.
She was an American patriot and loved her country. Vernell Vaccarella was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brothers, Willard Eugene Barnes and Charles Monroe Barnes, and sisters, Madge Lenor Barnes, Nancy Lee Barnes Koons, Natha Lee Barnes Strickland, and Sarah Cleotha Barnes Hoatland. She is survived by a dear sister-in-law, Nell Polk Barnes (Charles) and her very special friends, June Rodrigue and Teny Tuminello.
A host of much loved nieces and nephews morn her passing, and she will be greatly missed by many friends. The family appreciates the many prayers, cards and visits. The concern you expressed was a joy and comfort to Vernell.
Special thanks are extended to many kind ladies who were her faithful sitters through the years, especially Janice Jackson and Eddie Jean Bowsky. It was Vernell’s sincere request that friends and family remember her with affection and joy. Vernell Vaccarella will be greatly missed by many who knew and loved her.
Our sad loss is heaven’s eternal gain.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
