Alice Jean Barnes

Alice Jean Fisher was born in Stayton, Oregon on July 24, 1933, to Eric and Clarice Fisher. Alice Jean grew up on the Fisher family farm in the Waldo Hills area with her older brother Lawrence and her younger brother Douglas. 

She attended the one-room McAlpin School through 8 th grade. Being the only student in the second grade, her teacher allowed her to complete both 2 nd and 3 rd grades in one year. At McAlpin she developed a love of books and reading that lasted throughout her life. She then went on to graduate from Silverton High School in 1950. Her class was often called the “Nifty Fifties.” Alice Jean loved home economics and making new friends. 

In spring of 1950, Alice Jean was voted prom queen from her Silverton High School senior class. Her escort to this event was Richard Barnes, who was teaching veterans after World War II at the high school. Her father had a hand in arranging for Rich to take her to the prom. In 1952, they were married on September 12 th at the Stayton Church of Christ.

Rich was a farmer in the Silverton area, and Alice Jean joined him there, spending time in the dairy barn, the hay fields, and wherever she could be helpful. For a number of years she worked in the Valley View Farms strawberry fields, getting to know each picker and their work habits. Catching kids who put dirt clods under the berries to make the crates weigh more was one of her specialties.

Alice Jean and Rich had five children, Linda Barnes Samek (Tom), Betty Jo Barnes Steele (Mark), Susan Barnes McGuffin (Cliff), Eric Barnes (Pam), and Lois Barnes Mulkey (Ken). All still live in the area and visited Alice Jean often in her last years. She had 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren living in Oregon, California, and Indiana. 

Alice Jean enjoyed family gatherings with aunts, uncles, and cousins from around the area. Family and community connections were always important to her. We all enjoyed the many family reunions we attended with her through the years. 

One of Alice Jean’s greatest joys was teaching Sunday School for two and three year olds at Stayton Church of Christ. She did this for multiple decades, impacting the lives of many children and their families over the years. 

She also loved to read. She often said that when she “retired” she would sit and read all day. Each time she finished a book she would record the date inside the back cover. We knew some of her favorite books by the number of dates listed indicating how many times she had read them. 

After moving from the family farm, Alice Jean and Rich lived for a time with daughter Linda. She spent five years at the Turner Retirement Home, and her last two and half years at The Arbor, a memory care facility in Keizer. The staff at The Arbor loved her obvious joy in the Lord and her tenacity. 

Alice Jean Barnes left this world for a new home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Saturday, February 22, 2025. A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Stayton Christian Church. The family suggests Stayton Christian Church or Union Hill Cemetery for contributions in her memory.