Jerri Jean Walker Barnes

Sumter, SC……………..Jerri Jean Walker Barnes, 84, gained her heavenly reward on Thursday, June the 12th, 2025 at Prisma Health Tuomey in Sumter, SC.

Born in Tifton, GA., she was the daughter of the late John Albritton Walker and Essie Thelma Walker Walker Wells. She had various jobs, but her life’s calling was keeping children for working mothers for over 50 years. She loved her family fiercely. She was a strong woman of faith, an active member of Bethesda Church of God, and previous member of Carpenter Road Church of God in Tifton. 

She is survived by her miracle child, Julie Michelle, her son-in-law Neil, her favorite granddaughter, Hayley Michelle, and her favorite grandson, Walker McNeil DuBose of Sumter; three brothers: Aubrey Eugene Walker of Tifton, Kenneth Dale Walker, and Gary Thomas Wells of Macon, GA; a half-sister, Leila Wells Fisher of Griffin, GA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, loved ones, and her special dog Coco Arabella DuBose. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Larry Barnes to whom she was married 60 glorious years; her stepfather, JW Wells and her brother, Ray Laverne Wells. 

The family will receive friends one hour prior to service at Bethesda from 11:00am-12:00pm, Monday, June 16th, 2025, and other times at their home. A funeral service will be held at Bethesda Church of God (2730 Broad Street Sumter, SC 29150) on Monday, June 16th, 2025, at 12:00pm with Reverend Neil DuBose officiating.

Pallbearers will include Walker DuBose, Mark Walker, David Walker, Bo Wells, Jake Wells, Taylor DuBose, and Brandon Martin. Honorary pallbearer will be Matthew McConaughey. 

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

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