ANDERSON, Ind. – Iris Faye (Starr) Barnes, 80, of Anderson died Aug.28, 2021, at Beaumont Rehab and Healthcare after a few months of declining health.
Iris was born July 21, 1941, to Forrest N. Starr and Nadine E. (Wilson) Starr in rural Anderson. She graduated from Lapel High School in 1959 and attended Ball State.
During the 1960s and 1970s she worked at Weiler’s and Meadowbrook Baptist Church. She began a 30-year career as a certified massage therapist after completing schooling in 1982 and advanced training. As a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, she worked as a volunteer at the Pan American Games in 1987 and the U.S. Open Clay Court Championships in Indianapolis. Before moving to Willits, California, in 1992, she was a member of the Anderson and Capital City Sweet Adelines chapters and was a Girl Scout leader in Middletown. During her 23 years in Northern California and Washington, Iris pursued her hobby in nature photography.
She was a member of Grace Community Church in Willits, California. After moving back to Anderson in 2013, she became a member of New Horizons United Methodist Church and enjoyed attending Anderson Symphony Orchestra and big band concerts and local theater productions. She had been a volunteer at Operation Love.
Survivors include her sons, Robert A. “Tony” Barnes of Anderson and Robert P. “Patrick” Barnes and daughter-in-law Samantha Langdon of Indianapolis; daughter, Bethany A. Barnes of California; sister, Paula Bivens of Anderson; nieces and nephews, John Bivens, Nila Neblett, David Starr, Brenda Anderson, Bonita McClure, Paul D. Kimble, Carla Ulmer and Allan Hudson.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Robert L. Barnes, in May 2008, second husband, Robert B. Bowhay, in 2012; sister, Marilyn Kimble; and brother, Maurice N. Starr.
A memorial service is planned Saturday, Sept. 25, at 4 p.m. at New Horizons United Methodist Church, 611 E. 53rd St., Anderson. Visitation will be one hour before the service.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Operation Love, 620 E. 21st St., Anderson, IN 46016; or New Horizons UM Church.
Arrangements were handled by Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service.