LuAnn Barnes-Williams

LuAnn "Lu" Barnes-Williams, 53, of Portage and formerly of Battle Creek, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at Bronson Methodist Hospital with her loving family at her side. She was born in Lebanon, Indiana on November 22, 1954 the daughter of Ralph Jr. and Elizabeth "Jo" (McDaniel) Barnes and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1972.

A true lover of life, Lu poured her life into everything she did. She would do anything for her clients and was thought of by many of them as family. Lu had served in various capacities at such companies as Waste Management, Battle Creek Equipment, McDonald's Headquarters in Battle Creek, Battle Creek Honda, Keller-Williams Realty and most recently at Re/Max Advantage in Kalamazoo.

Lu's love for her two boys and her mother went beyond measure. As a single mother, she was always there for her boys and they never had to worry about going without anything they needed. She was so proud of her boys, Jonathon, a licensed funeral director at Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home and Justin, Student Ministries Pastor at Lighthouse Community Church in Kalamazoo, which she was so excited about because both of her boys were back locally.

Lu also did anything she could for her mother and spent as much time with her as she could. Their bond was simply amazing and more like that of best friends and meant so much to Lu.

Lu married Lee Williams on June 26, 2002. Lee has brought her so much joy and another passion in life, "Grandchildren." She looked forward to family gatherings or just time with the grandchildren that brought her so much happiness.

Lu is survived by her husband, Lee; her two boys, Jonathon Barnes of Battle Creek and Justin (Jessie) Barnes of Kalamazoo; her mother, Elizabeth "Jo" Norr of Portage; a sister, Melinda (Marvin) Shelton of Anna, Ohio; nephews, Erik and Kyle Shelton and Brian, Steven and Andrew Barnes; Lee's children, Lisa (Dale) Miller, Deborah Williams, Shonda Williams, Jen (Shawn) Ritter; 11 grandchildren; and many loving friends who meant so much to her. She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Barnes Jr. in 1965; her special father, Harvey Norr in 2005; and her brother, Bob Barnes in 2007.

Lu was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church, the Association of Realtors, past-president of the Battle Creek Area Lioness and had been active on the Balloon Festival Committee in Battle Creek. She loved flowers, entertaining family and friends, being a part of her boys' lives and their events and helping the blind and other people in need. Lu's smile, sense of humor and personality will truly be missed by all who knew her.

At the request of the family, they will gather to receive friends 2:00 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 22, 2008 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Richland Chapel, 9170 East D. Ave., Richland. Funeral services to celebrate Lu's life will be held 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at the First Wesleyan Church, Battle Creek with her 2 boys, Justin and Jonathon, officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials made to the Shrine Hospitals for Children or the Lighthouse Community Church Student Ministries would be greatly appreciated. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com