ROARK BARNES, 78, was welcomed into his heavenly
eternity on the morning of Sept. 28, 2014, after
years of suffering with Lewy-Body dementia. Interment
was at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, TX.
Roark was born Sept. 24, 1936, to Howard and Mamie
Barnes in Rotan. He graduated from Rotan High School
in 1954 and, until the last few years, he met annually
with some of his high school buddies and their spouses.
He received his music education degree from Texas Tech
University and remained a fan of the Red Raiders until
his death. In the early '70s he received his graduate
degree in counseling from Abilene Christian University.
He & Alyce lived in Corsicana for 33 years and worshiped
at Westhill Church of Christ. Roark was an educator for
42 years, many of those years with Corsicana ISD. He
directed bands in Jayton, Coleman, Ranger, & Corsicana, TX.
He also enjoyed his role as guidance counselor in Corsicana
middle schools and elementary schools. Roark was loved by
many, and his presence here on earth is missed deeply, but
his family is rejoicing in his victory over death & disease.
Roark was preceded in death by his parents; his brother,
Alvin Barnes; his son, Jerrell Barnes; and his grandson,
Andrew Knowles.
Survivors at the time of his death: his wife of 54 years,
Alyce Barnes; daughters, Kathy Knowles and husband, Billy,
Leslie McKinnon and husband, Shawn; daughter-in-law, Jerris
Barnes; grandchildren, Shelley Knowles Loveland and husband,
Andrew, Brennan Barnes, Cory Barnes, Connor McKinnon, Claire
McKinnon; brother-in-law, Bob Justice; sister-in-law, Margaret
Mays; several nieces and nephews.