Deborah Ann Barnes

Deborah "Debbie" Ann Barnes transitioned out of the realm of the living on Sunday, November 7th, peacefully in her home "sanctuary" in Amarillo, TX. After 67 adventurous years, she was ready for the next adventure. A proud and independent woman, Debbie lived life on her own terms - fearless and resilient. She loved her family fiercely, both blood and chosen. She adored cultivating joy through cooking, growing her garden, puzzles, a daily crossword, cats, Tai Chi, the mountains, mythology, books of all kinds, the Unitarian Universalist community, and her favorite animal, frogs.

Debbie attended the University of Texas and Texas Christian University, working as a nurse before returning to support the family business at Barnes Jewelry. She was preceded in death by her parents Vess Jr. and Joyce Barnes.

Debbie's brother, Vess Barnes III, has so many memories of them together - from youthful sibling rivalry, to being partners in business, to sharing wisdom through the years. Vess will miss her immensely; she was the best sister a brother could ask for.

Her passion for food and gardening lives on in her niece, Nicole, a food science enthusiast, food equity advocate, and fellow ailurophile. Ivan, her nephew, carries on her precision with knife skills, knack for cooking perfect proteins, and appreciation for an adventurous yet "good enough" mantra in the kitchen. Allyson illuminates Debbie's ability to make anyone feel loved and welcome, fascination with the earth's treasures, deep love for chocolate, and being a force of calm during chaotic times.

Debbie cherished her chosen family including her chosen sister and life-long friend, Karen McGinnis. She is survived by her brother, Vess, aunt Sudie Stewart, nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Cindy Barnes, and caretaker and friend Missie Eakin.

You could usually find Debbie sitting in the kitchen, American Spirit in one hand, and a spatula in the other carefully browning mushrooms or stirring a 16-hour stock. Her eyes would light up as you walked in the kitchen with a gleeful "how aaaaaare ya?" In the spirit of Debbie, eat something good today, enjoy a glass of pinot noir, and share a story with someone you love.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support a non-profit that was close to Debbie's heart: High Plains Food Bank (https://www.hpfb.org/) or High Plains Public Radio (https://www.hppr.org/) A memorial service will be held in January 2022 - time and location to be determined.