MARY DENISE SILLS BARNES, wife of Roland R. Barnes and mother of Joshua Barnes, died at home suddenly from a massive heart attack. She is survived also by her mother, Ida R. Sills, a Memphis native, along with brother, Lee Sills of Newport Beach, CA. Denise began her musical carrier at Wooddale High School as a member of Sigma Alpha Delta when she won the talent contest at the Memphis Mid-south Fair in her first group "The Variations." Denise toured the world as an ambassador of music in an inspirational group called "The Messengers," a group founded by Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inns. Denise returned from an extensive USO goodwill tour to attend Memphis State University. She joined sorority Sigma Kappa who sponsored her in the Miss Memphis Pageant where she was awarded best in talent. As a respected Memphis musician, Denise has been a member of the following musical groups, Merlin, A Little Company, Lady, and Memphis favorite, Friends. Music played a major role in her life. Along with an extensive musical career came family and a seventeen-year tenure at Nike. Denise took us all on a journey of laughter, music and adventures. Those of us who knew her and loved her, followed her on that journey even though we knew she was directionally challenged.
Biological Father: Carl Hathaway
Maternal Grandfather: Everett Russell
Maternal Grandmother: Elsie Watts Russell
Biological Father: Carl Hathaway
Maternal Grandfather: Everett Russell
Maternal Grandmother: Elsie Watts Russell
MARY DENISE SILLS BARNES, wife of Roland R. Barnes and mother of Joshua Barnes, died at home suddenly from a massive heart attack. She is survived also by her mother, Ida R. Sills, a Memphis native, along with brother, Lee Sills of Newport Beach, CA. Denise began her musical carrier at Wooddale High School as a member of Sigma Alpha Delta when she won the talent contest at the Memphis Mid-south Fair in her first group "The Variations." Denise toured the world as an ambassador of music in an inspirational group called "The Messengers," a group founded by Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inns. Denise returned from an extensive USO goodwill tour to attend Memphis State University. She joined sorority Sigma Kappa who sponsored her in the Miss Memphis Pageant where she was awarded best in talent. As a respected Memphis musician, Denise has been a member of the following musical groups, Merlin, A Little Company, Lady, and Memphis favorite, Friends. Music played a major role in her life. Along with an extensive musical career came family and a seventeen-year tenure at Nike. Denise took us all on a journey of laughter, music and adventures. Those of us who knew her and loved her, followed her on that journey even though we knew she was directionally challenged.
Biological Father: Carl Hathaway
Maternal Grandfather: Everett Russell
Maternal Grandmother: Elsie Watts Russell
Biological Father: Carl Hathaway
Maternal Grandfather: Everett Russell
Maternal Grandmother: Elsie Watts Russell
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