Judith Ann Barnes

Judith Ann (Ellis) Barnes, age 80, peacefully departed to be with Jesus and to reunite with her many loved ones on 9/23/23. Judy passed away surrounded by her loving daughters after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland to William (Bill) and Virginia Ellis and had a younger brother John. She was married for 57 years to her husband Stan, who died in 2018 from cancer. Judy was best known professionally for her 25+ years of service with the Greater Grand Rapids Home Builders Association (GGRHBA). She was a Certified Association Executive and the National President of the Executive Officers Council, she mentored executives and served on multiple boards and she led the GGRHBA to become one of the top five in the nation. Judy was an avid reader who loved walking, going to the movies, traveling and camping with her family. She was loved for her gift of encouragement, her infectious laughter, her inability to be negative and her devotion to her family and friends. Judy is survived by her loving daughters, Debbie (Walter) Patton and Kimberly Winters; son-in-law, Nate Winters; grandchildren, Seth (Amanda) Walter, Joseph (Breckan) Winters, Anna Winters (Aaron) Fischer, Kirk (Jen) Patton II; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Caleb, Carson, Alaina Walter, Fletcher Winters and Kirk Patton III; her father’s fiancé, LaVonne Cook; sister-in-law, Marilyn Ellis; brother-in-law, Charlie Lamb; as well as nieces and nephews, Josh (Krys) Ellis, Steve (Laura) Young, Charlene Lamb (Greg) Garcia, and Lynn Lamb/McCombs (Garrett) Rhodes; great nieces, Lily Lamb and June McCombs; and Debbie’s sister-in-law Mindy Walter. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stanley Barnes; son-in-laws, Miles Walter, Kirk Patton; granddaughter, Kelly Lynn Walter; brother, John Ellis; father, Bill Ellis; mother, Virginia (Brown) Ellis; stepmother, Betty; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Victor and Lillian Barnes; sister-in-law, Vicki Lamb; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Terry and Judy Young. We rejoice at the thought of all of her loved ones welcoming her home. A graveside memorial service will be held for her immediate family. To honor Judy’s memory, please volunteer or support a family or friend touched by Alzheimer’s Disease and/ or donate to Faith Hospice of Grand Rapids.