Hazel Walker-Barnes

Hazel Walker-Barnes, 101, of Summerville, widow of Lester Barnes, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2017 at Trident Medical Center. Friends and family are invited to attend her visitation on Friday, January 27, 2017 from 10 o’clock AM until hour of service at Summerville Seventh Day Adventist Church, 108 North Pine Street, Summerville. Funeral services will begin at 11 o’clock AM. Burial will follow at Dorchester Memory Gardens, 11000 Dorchester Road, Summerville. Hazel Walker-Barnes, fondly referred to by her children and relatives as “Mamita” was born on September 17, 1915 in Clarendon, Jamaica. She migrated with her parents to Cuba in 1923 and grew into a beautiful young lady. She met the love of her life and got married in 1942. She was widowed in 1957 as Cuba experienced its military coup. Her resourcefulness and relentlessness secured her passage to Jamaica with her three children; Jaimito, Hannah and Esther before international travel was banned. There she worked diligently and ensured that her children were educated. She lost contact with her brother, son Windell and family in Cuba, but after some 40+ years by divine intervention, a phone from Cuba ended that separation. Mamita remarried in 1972 to Lester Barnes, Head Elder of the Chapelton Seventh Day Adventist Church in Clarendon, Jamaica. They lived in Crawle River where she embraced and nurtured her new family of 5 girls namely, Daphne, Lesaine, Sharon, Ann and Maureen and 4 boys, Noel, Bert, Denton and Errol; a grandson Vernie and “adopted” daughter Carla. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother to her family. She exhibited a love that formed a unique bond and this grew stronger throughout the years. This love sustained her through the illness and death of her husband Lester, while residing in Toronto, Canada. Mrs. Walker-Barnes was a committed Seventh Day Adventist Christian. She loved Evangelism, and was instrumental along with her husband Lester in starting two churches in Jamaica. She worked tirelessly helping members of the community, giving clothes, food, counsel and shelter to those in need. Her great love of children was evident as she worked as the Assistant Director of St. Monica’s Children’s Home for Abused and Orphaned Children; many of whom are now nurses, teachers and doctors. In 1998 Mamita migrated to the United States where she resided with her two daughters and sons-in-law (Esther & Roydel in New York & Hannah & Horace in Florida and South Carolina) respectively. While there, she was encouraged to write her life story, and so, in 2015 at the celebration of her 100th birthday her book, An Autobiography - “100 Years and Counting…” was unveiled. This woman of God has touched countless lives and has left a legacy that will continue to resonate through others. She will be sadly missed by: 11 children, 32 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 2 sisters, 1 brother, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 (843)873-4040.

Hazel Walker-Barnes

September 17, 1915 - January 16, 2017