Elnora Elizabeth Congleton Barnes passed away peacefully in her sleep at home with family nearby. She was born in Mt. Sterling, KY and attended Mt. Sterling City Schools and played clarinet in the band.

She loved Jesus and talked to God daily. She admitted to being more spiritual than religious. She was a quiet soul who never met a person she didn’t like and who liked her back. She graced this world just shy of 94 years and frequently stated that she intended to live to least 110 and go dancing down the Levee Road to celebrate that achievement.

She was the last member of her generation in our family and we are blessed beyond measure to have had her as our Matriarch for this time.

She was preceded in death by her father, Woodford Congleton; mother, Rebecca Elizabeth Quisenberry Congleton; husband, Donald Andrew Barnes; sons, Jerry Wayne Barnes and James Dean Barnes; brothers, W.A. Congleton and Robert "Bob" Congleton; and sisters, Ann Maloney and Mae Howard. 

She is survived by her son, Donald Anthony Barnes (Susan) of Virginia; daughter, Judy Ellen Barnes Gilvin of Kentucky; son, Guy Montgomery Barnes (Sharon) of Alabama; and many nieces and nephews. She was blessed with five children, eleven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren; and ten great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 12 PM, Friday, August 7, 2026 at Taul Funeral Home Chapel Mt. Sterling with Pastor Chad Barnes officiating, burial following at Machpelah Cemetery. Visitation will be held 11 AM-12 PM, Friday, August 7, 2026 at Taul Funeral Home Chapel Mt. Sterling. Pallbearers will be Travis Barnes, Chad Barnes, Nathan Barnes, Jason Benton, Michael Manley and Cody Nickels. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Orme, Gary Orme, Steve Orme, David Jones, Mike Toy and Jerry Blackburn.