Francis Leon Barnes

Master Sergeant Francis L. "Frank" Barnes, Retired U. S. Air Force, 75, of Biloxi, MS, went to meet his Lord and Savior, Friday, May 1, 2009, in Biloxi. M/Sgt. Barnes was born July 24, 1933 in Marion, Indiana. He served in the United States Air Force Security Services in Germany, Libya, Italy, and Alaska. After retiring in 1977, he taught special education in the Ocean Springs school system. M/Sgt. Barnes was a devout Christian who served in various churches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast directing music. He was presently serving as the minister of music at the Popp's Ferry Baptist Church. He was a Deacon, Mason, Gideon and an avid Amateur radio operator. He has also been a volunteer at the Keesler Medical Center for the past nine years. M/Sgt. Barnes was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Lillian Barnes, sister, Betty Scabia, and brother, James Barnes. He is survived by his wife, Elsie (nee Morris), of 57 years; daughters, Linda (Steve) DiStasio, Sandra (Dennis) Winnett; son, Russell; four grandchildren; sisters, Bea (Tom) Laird, Carol (David) Jefferson, Patricia (Ed) Case; and brothers, William Barnes and Dan (Sherry) Barnes. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 409410, Atlanta, GA 30384.