Mrs. Mattie Lee (Gilmore) Barnes

Obituary Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and thou shalt be missed because thy seat will be empty.” 1 Samuel 20:18 

 Mattie Lee Gilmore Barnes was born in East Carroll Parish on November 28, 1961 to the late Lula Gilmore Lee and Willie Charles Bliss. She was the granddaughter of the late Mattie and Alexander Gilmore, Sr. Mattie departed this life on Friday, September 20, 2019 at her home in Tallulah, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her sister, Teresa Gilmore; brother, Willie James Bliss; and a special aunt, Patricia Gilmore. Mattie attended public school in East Carroll Parish. Shortly after high school, Mattie met and married her friend and lifelong companion, Michael Barnes. Mattie loved her family and knew she would have no other career than being a homemaker, as her family was her joy. Mattie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age, under the leadership of the late Reverend Gus Lee. She served as a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church in Lake Providence, Louisiana, until she moved to Tallulah, Louisiana. She united with First Colored Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Gerald Williams, where she served as an usher. Mattie, affectionately known to many as “Granny”, leaves to cherish her memories and legacy: her husband, Michael Barnes; father, Matt Lee of Lake Providence, LA; four sons, Calvin Gilmore (Shalonda) of Conway, Arkansas, Terrance Gilmore, Michael Gilmore (Shadana), and Dontrell Gilmore, all of Tallulah, Louisiana; one daughter, Sophia Gilmore of Tallulah, Louisiana; one sister, Erica Gilmore of Lake Providence, Louisiana; five brothers, Forrest Gilmore, Jerry Gilmore, and Robert Earl Gilmore, all of Jacksonville, Florida, Chris Brian Gilmore (Shanny) of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and William Gilmore of Lake Providence, Louisiana. She will also be missed by a special niece, Myeisha Carroway (Derain); goddaughter, Umeka Thompson; twenty-eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

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