Elizabeth Ann Barnes
COLUMBIA — Elizabeth Ann Barnes had a true passion for journalism. She published numerous articles on the subject and frequently spoke on the teachings of journalism.
“Liz was a very committed journalist. She sponsored Stephens Life, and that was very important to her," said Bertrice Bartlett, one of Barnes' co-workers. "She was committed to journalism and seeking the truth. She was one of those teachers that made that impact on her students.”
Ms. Barnes died Saturday, June 4, 2011. She was 85.
She was born Sept. 15, 1925, in Iron Mountain, Mich., to Eldredge and Grace Isley Barnes.
Ms. Barnes grew up in Kingsport, Tenn., and attended Virginia Intermont College from 1943 to 1945 and the University of North Carolina, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1947 and a master's degree in journalism in 1957.
She worked as a reporter for the Kingsport Register from 1947 to 1950 and as a reporter and youth editor at The Richmond News Leader from 1952 to 1956.
After nearly 10 years in the newsroom, Ms. Barnes took her skills to the classroom to teach. As a faculty member at Stephens College for 27 years, Ms. Barnes touched the lives of numerous young women through her instruction in the classroom, in the newsroom of the college newspaper, Stephens Life, and as co-founder and co-director of Women's Studies.
She also wrote, "Hand Me Downs," a novel in 1984.
Later, she taught journalism for several terms at The College of Santa Fe.
Ms. Barnes was active in the League of Women Voters, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Association of University Professors, the Sierra Club, Peace Studies, Common Cause and others.
“She was a person that cared a lot about people. She lived an interesting life, and she was fun to be around,” said Dorothy Schoech, her partner of more than 40 years. “It’s quite a loss because we’ve shared so much over the years.”
Ms. Barnes had a love for dogs, children, parties, storytelling, the outdoors and a good argument. She retired to Sante Fe, N.M., in the 1990s where she built a house with Schoech.
In 2007, Ms. Barnes and Schoech moved back to Columbia and lived at Lenoir Woods retirement community.
Ms. Barnes is survived by her partner, Dorothy Schoech; two nephews, Tom Ingram of Charlotte, N.C., and his family, and Ed Barnes of Michigan; and one niece, Meredith Ingram of Chicago, Ill.
Two sisters, Imogene Ingram and Phylis Barnes, and a brother, Ferrell Barnes, died earlier.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Lenoir Chapel, 3710 Lenoir St. Her ashes will be spread at 4 p.m. Friday at Calvary Episcopal Church in a memorial garden, 123 S. Ninth St.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Calvary Episcopal Church Trust Fund, 123 S. Ninth St., Columbia, MO 65201 or the Central Missouri Humane Society, 616 Big Bear Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65202.
Condolences can be posted at parkerfuneralservice.com.
