Lana ‘Carole’ Magaha Barnes

October 16, 2024

Lana “Carole” Magaha Barnes, born December 6, 1942 to John and Texie Magaha in Jay Florida, went to her eternal rest on Saturday, September 28, 2024. She was surrounded by her family in her home in Tyler, Texas in her final days and is now reunited with her parents and three beloved sisters.

Carole graduated from Jay High School in 1960 and over the years kept in touch with her many friends, family and classmates from her hometown as she returned frequently for class and family reunions. She married a naval aviator in 1962 and moved to Southern California, where she raised three children and was very involved in their school and scouting activities as well as local community groups. She committed much of her time to a local chapter in the POW/MIA movement that sought to bring awareness and support to Vietnam War families and their missing/captured servicemen. She taught her children to care about all people, regardless of race or beliefs, and encouraged them in exploring the arts, music and other activities and interests, ever supporting them in pursuit of their own individual dreams.

The family moved to Tyler, Texas in 1975 and after a divorce in 1977, Carole went to work and back to college while raising three children as a single mom. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UT Tyler in May 1980 and then a Masters degree. She worked for MHMR as a Therapist Tech/Vocational Trainer and then as a counselor for Texas Rehabilitation Commission where she retired in 2002. In 1980, she met her handsome cowboy artist, David Barnes, and they were married in the Tyler Rose Garden on November 9, 1980 in the presence of her three children and his two boys. Together they traveled throughout the U.S. and often returned to her home place in Jay Florida. Carole also had memorable travel adventures in the U.K., Italy and Ireland.

Carole is survived by her husband of 43 years, David, who lovingly cared for her in her final years, and by her children: Marla Lyle (Mike) of Waxahachie, Texas, Mark Masat of Dallas, Texas, Melissa Robertson (Bobby) of Portland, Oregon, Greg Barnes (Michelle) of Tyler, Texas and Danny Barnes (Donna) of Bullard, Texas. She also has 9 grandchildren; Blake Lyle, Lauren Lyle, Charlie Robertson, Lorenzo

Barnes, Haylie Barnes, Damon Barnes, Bella Barnes, Cole Barnes & Brileigh Barnes, as well as 4 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sisters in law Jan Richards (Lee) of Lindale, Texas and Sue Stagner (Stu) of Colorado.

She is preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Linda Magaha, Glenda Moss and Sharon Kratchmer, her in-laws Burris and Marie Barnes, brother in law Bob Barnes, and beloved pug Brando.

Carole was a lifelong avid reader and poet. She completed two books – “Pearls from My Past – With A Few Grains of Sand,” highlighting her colorful childhood and family memories in vivid detail, and “Life with Covid-19,” a commentary on her experiences and observations during the pandemic. She had a sharp wit and teasing sense of humor, and wrote hundreds of poems for her family and friends – including an annual poem at Christmas which shared her clever updates about her family and observations of world events.

Being around Carole meant feeling warmth and love. She was kind and compassionate which made her a great counselor, caring friend and mother/grandmother. She loved flowers, nature, babies and cats and dogs equally. She had a friendly and cheerful disposition and never met a stranger. She was a lifelong Christian and believer and loved her church family at St. Francis Episcopal Church where she volunteered in the office for a time and was a proud member of Daughters of the King.

Services for Carole will be held on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024 at St. Francis Episcopal Church located at 3232 Jan Avenue in Tyler, Texas. Visitation with the family will be held from 1:00pm to 2:00pm in the Parish Hall, followed by a memorial service in the sanctuary starting at 2:00pm. Graveside service will then follow at Tyler Memorial Park at 12053 State Hwy 64 in Tyler, Texas.

The family would like to request that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to PATH (People Attempting To Help) at website www.pathhelps.org or Hospice of East Texas at www.hospiceofeasttexas.org in memory of Carole Barnes.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries