Lyndel Carl Barnes

Dr. Lyndel “Lyn” Carl Barnes

On the morning of June 21, 2022, Lyndel "Lyn" Barnes passed away at WakeMed of Raleigh following a brief illness. He was 88 years old.                                                                                  

Lyn was born on August 5, 1933, in Marion, Illinois. He was the second child of Luther and Lois (Radcliffe) Barnes. 

Lyn's life can be summed up in the words "God and country." After graduating high school, Lyn enlisted in the Navy, serving for just over 3 years and seeing action during the Korean War. He earned a B.S. from Southern Illinois University and, having discerned a call to Christian ministry, earned an M.Div. from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (now Gateway Seminary). He then served God and country by entering the Army as a chaplain, where for the next 18 years he ministered to troops in West Germany, Vietnam, Korea, and the U.S. 

While stationed in Colorado, he met the love of his life, Brenda Painter, a college student doing summer missions work for a Baptist church. The two managed to sustain a long-distance courtship -- in the days before cell phones, email, and social media! -- while Brenda continued her undergraduate studies at East Carolina University. They married in Tarboro, North Carolina, on December 15, 1963. In 1972, they adopted a daughter, and in 1975, their son was born. Lyn retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 1979.

His military service finished, Lyn continued serving God by working for the Christian Broadcasting Network, the Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association, and several churches. He furthered his theological education by earning a Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University. Even after retiring, he was always on the lookout for ways to minister to people, whether by accepting preaching engagements, counseling those in need of spiritual advice, or praying for anyone in need of God's touch. Lyn and Brenda moved to Greenville, North Carolina, in early 1998 and remained there until 2021, when declining health necessitated their move to a care facility in Raleigh.

Lyn is survived by his wife; his son, Lyndel Evan Barnes; his daughter-in-law, Anne (Zdrojewski) Barnes; his daughter, Christina Laqeretabua; his granddaughters, Isabella and Bethany Laqeretabua; three brothers, Larry, Lonnie, and Luther Barnes; two sisters, Lois Fowler Barrett and Louise Jeannette Gray; and multiple nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lowell Barnes; and a sister, Lovina Kay James.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Greenville First Pentecostal Holiness Church (204 Brinkley Rd, Greenville, NC 27858).

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