On April 11, 2002, Ethel Marie Barnes
passed away in Newport Beach, CA at the
age of 91 years. Born on November 4, 1910
to Kate Mary and Isaiah N. Skeen in Peoria,
Illinois, she was the middle child of seven
children. She was predeceased by sisters
Florence McGinley, Delia Garrison, Daisy
Darling, and Ruth Bill; also by brothers
Lloyd (Bud) Skeen and Maurice Skeen.

Ethel married James A. Barnes on May 8,
1937. Two children were born to their union,
first a son, James Patrick, who died shortly
after birth; the second, a daughter, Patricia.
Shortly thereafter the family moved to
Needles, CA from Peoria, Ill. when Jim went
to work for the Santa Fe Railroad as a fireman.

During the forties Jim and Ethel owned and
operated Jim's Cafe and cabins at Front and
"D" Streets. During the early fifties Ethel
worked as secretary to the principal in the
Needles Schools for a few years before
venturing into the insurance and real estate
business. She owned the local Farmers
Insurance agency for many years, in addition
to being a real estate agent, notary public
and manager of the Needles Chamber of
Commerce during the city's heyday.

Ethel was industrious. She sold a lot of
homes in Needles throughout her real estate
career and accumulated a large number of
rental properties in the process. Both she
and her family were very proud of her
success.

Being the wife of Judge James Barnes, the
Needles Justice Court judge, made Ethel
proud and she enjoyed the socializing that
went with his position. She was also a
member of numerous civic groups, and a
lifelong member of the Methodist Church.
Most of all though, Ethel enjoyed the
beautiful Needles Golf Course. She and
Jim were instrumental in the creation of
that golf course and played there as often
as possible.

Ethel is survived by her daughter, Patricia,
son-in-law James Perkins of Costa Mesa,
grandson Casey Perkins of Fort Mohave,
granddaughter Vicki Schultz of Huntington
Beach, and great grandson Jason Perkins.