Charles Barnes

CMSGT Charles E. Barnes, USAF Retired, age 85, of D'Iberville, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017 in Biloxi, MS.
Chief Barnes has been a resident of D'Iberville since 1975, coming here assigned to Keesler Air Force Base as an instructor in the First Sergeant Academy.
Mr. Barnes was preceded in death by his parents, James A. and Myrtle Mayfield Barnes, of Newport, TN; sister, Edith Ailey; sister, Norma Jean Barnes Sinard of White Pine, TN; brothers, James W. Barnes of Morristown, TN, Raymond Barnes of White Pine, TN; son, Robert W. Barnes of Biloxi, MS; his first wife, Joy E. Holston Barnes, formerly of Dry Prong, LA; and his second wife, Anna Mae Vance Barnes, formerly of Moss Point, MS.
He is survived by his wife, Sondra "Sandy" E. Lippert Weimer Barnes of D'Iberville; daughter, Cheryl Barnes Freeman of Carlsbad, CA; and three grandchildren.
He was born in Cocke County, Newport, TN in May of 1932. He graduated from Morristown High School, Morristown, TN in the Class of `51. He entered the USAF right after graduation, in June of 1951, and retired at Keesler Air Force Base in 1980 after 29 years of distinguished service. During his military career, Mr. Barnes was stationed in six different foreign countries and nine different states. He earned several decorations including AFMSM W/2 OLC, AFCM W/2 OLC, AFGCM W/5 OLC, Army GCM W/2 OLC, AFOUA W/1 OLC, the Vietnam Service Medal W/3 OLC, AND Republic of Vietnam Service Medal.
His last military assignment was serving as the Sergeant Major to the Base Commander at Keesler AFB. Upon retiring from the military, he worked in civil service with the Civil Engineering Squadron at Keesler AFB and retired from there in September of 1994 after 14 years of service.
Mr. Barnes was very active in community affairs. He was selected to serve as a member of the D'Iberville Port Commission in 1997. He was currently serving as advisor to the D'Iberville city government for military affairs, representing the VFW and American Legion Posts in D'Iberville. He was a member of the D'Iberville/ St. Martin Chamber of Commerce. He was a master mason, belonging to the Orange Grove Lodge No. 635, Gulfport York Rite and Scottish Rite bodies and past member of Joppa Temple AAOMS. He was a life member of D'Iberville VFW Post No. 6731, holding several officer positions and chairing several committees such as the Biloxi National Cemetery Committee and the American Legion Post No. 2002, where he was a charter member and served three years as Post Commander. He was a member of D'Iberville Moose Lodge No. 332, Biloxi Elks Lodge No. 606 and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4535. He was also a life member of the Sunkist Country Club (marshal/starter group for several years), and served as a charter member of the South Mississippi USGA Course Rating Team.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 5-7 PM at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. at Washington Ave., Ocean Springs. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 10:30 AM at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park, Ocean Springs. Military honors will be performed by the Keesler Air Force Base Honor Guard, honors will be held by VFW Post 6731, and Masonic Rites will be held by Orange Grove Lodge #635.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Mr. Barnes' favorite charity: The St. Labre Indian School, Ashland Montana, 59004.
An online guestbook may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.