ANDERSON - District Elder Hosea Barnes, born on September 13, 1932 in Lambert, MS, was one of ten children born to Luther and Alberta Barnes. In 1940 the Barnes' family moved to Muncie, IN where Hosea met and married Eula Dixon. From this union eight children were born. For many years their family grew and prospered in Indiana.
District Elder Barnes attended Muncie Central High School where he was an outstanding athlete and excelled in football and track. His legacy, as an athlete, has continued for three generations. Later on, he worked as a supervisor for General Motors and retired in 1985 after thirty-three years of service. He was also employed at Ball Memorial Hospital for many years.
District Elder Barnes received Christ at an early age. Shortly after being saved he accepted his call to the ministry where he faithfully served under the leadership of Bishop O. H. Sanders, fulfilling the duties of Associate Minister and overseer of the Young People Department at Christ Temple Church, Muncie, IN.
Due to the failing health of his uncle, District Elder Armster Barnes, Elder Hosea Barnes was asked to assist this pastor in serving the church in Anderson, IN. In 1982 this service resulted in Elder Barnes and Sister Barnes becoming the Pastor and First Lady of Christ Temple Church, Anderson IN. In 1993 Elder Barnes was elevated to the office of District Elder over the Northeastern District. He also served on the Apostolic Bible Student Association (ABSA) Council for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). He faithfully served his church and the PAW until 2005 when he retired from active service due to his failing health.
Admired for his approachability and great sense of humor, District Elder Barnes was known to be a very giving and caring person.
District Elder Barnes was preceded in death by his parents Luther and Alberta Barnes; son, Byron; daughter, Cynthia Lee; brothers, Elijah, Alexander, Luther Jr. and sister, Catherine Davis.
He leaves to cherish his memory, wife, Deborah (Wright) Barnes; sons, Hosea of Muncie, IN, Steve of Elyria, OH, Jeffery (Marianne) of Arlington, TX and Eric of Indianapolis, IN; daughters, LaQuita (Johnny) McCane of Muncie, IN and Leisa Barnes of Grand Rapids, MI; brother, Jimmie (Marian) Barnes of Rubidoux, CA; sisters, Reatha (Eddie) Robinson, Christine (Joseph) Sanders and Katie Childress all of Muncie, IN, and Melinda Nelson of Benton Harbor, MI; twenty-six grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; also step-children, Mia (Milan) Rouse, Jessica Thomas, Dion, Lester, Brent, and Robert Wright Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The visitation will be Friday April 15, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at Christ Temple Apostolic Church 1610 west 22nd Street, Anderson. Friends may also view one hour prior to services Saturday.
Home Going services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Christ Temple. Interment will follow in Garden of Memory Cemetery, Muncie, IN. District Elder Eddie Robinson Jr. will officiate.