Alma Gray Mercer Barnes | Eastern NC Now

    Mrs. Alma Gray Mercer Barnes, age 91, a resident of Washington, NC died Tuesday September 23, 2025, at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital in Washington.

    A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday September 27, 2025, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory, officiated by Daniel Woods. A burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Seth Barnes, Jonathan Barnes, Mattie Barnes, Michael Barnes, Blake Ennis, and Tom Tison.

    The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour on Saturday at the funeral home.

    Mrs. Barnes was born in Wilson County on January 17, 1934, daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin Mercer and the late Betsy Lamb Mercer. On January 21, 1950, she married Clifton Alton Barnes who preceded her in death on September 8, 2016. She loved cooking, taking care of houseplants, her own family and her church family. She chose to worship at Wesleyan Pentecostal Holiness Church.

    Survivors include her son: Steve Barnes and his wife Cheryle of Williamston; a daughter: Debbie Wood and her husband Randy of Washington; brothers: Lewis Mercer, and George Mercer; grandchildren: Suzanne Ennis and her husband Blake, Sara Tison and her husband Tom, Seth Barnes and his wife Kelly, Jonathan Barnes and his wife Rhonda, Michael Barnes and his wife Samantha, and Matthew Barnes. She was predeceased, along with her parents and husband, by a son: David Scott Barnes; a grandson: Bryan Lee Barnes; brothers: Ernest Mercer, and Ben Mercer; and a sister: Hazel Beck.

    In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to Wesleyan Pentecostal Holiness Church, 7656 US Hwy. 264, Washington, NC 27889.

    Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Barnes family.