Mr. Calvin Barnes

Obituary For Mr. Calvin Barnes

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Calvin Barnes.

Calvin Barnes was born in Brooklyn, New York to military parents on November 30, 1925. He was taken to Key West, Florida as an infant, which was the native home of his parents, the late Thomas Barnes, Sr. and Vera Bosfield Barnes. He was one of seven children all of whom preceded him in death: sisters Melba Randall, Oradell Brown-Bowe, Laverne Walden Barnes and Thomasinia Woods and two brothers Carl Barnes and Thomas Barnes, Jr.
Calvin “known as Leonard to Key Westers” graduated from the historic Douglas High School in Key West, entered the United States Navy after graduation stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (WWII) and was honorably discharged. He was employed as a Journeyman carpenter upon completing the Apprentice School at Boca Chica Naval Base in Key West, retiring in 1980 as a Shop Planner and volunteer Equal Opportunity Coordinator.
He married Tallahassee native, Althemese Barnes, on July 5, 1981, and relocated to Tallahassee, Florida bringing with him a wealth of volunteerism, activism and leadership in the fight for racial equality. They met on a trip that she made to Key West to investigate an employment discrimination complaint that had been filed by the Key West Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), of which Mr. Barnes was the President. Serving as President, Mr. Barnes also led the organization in filing a complaint with HUD, the federal housing oversight agency, an action that resulted in an appropriation of $3 million dollars that was used to make repairs and upgrade the segregated housing project in Key West. Several employment discrimination complaints were resolved during his tenure and the highest number of new NAACP memberships and renewals were achieved. He was inducted into the Virtual Florida Civil Rights Awards Ceremony in February 2024.
During the 1980s, Mr. Barnes assisted a successful effort to prevent the historic John Gilmore Riley House from being demolished. In 1996, fully restored, it opened as the John G. Riley Center & Museum, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is the only African American historic property in downtown Tallahassee so designated and was the First African American Community based museum in Tallahassee and Leon County.
In the 1990s, the Tallahassee Branch of the NAACP was in need of an individual to boost the number of memberships in the organization. Mr. Barnes took on the role of Membership Chairman. During his tenure, the Tallahassee NAACP received the highest in state, regional and national awards for new, renewed and Life Memberships. Ms. Spikes of the National Membership Department sent written confirmation of this to the Florida NAACP leadership and frequently applauded his accomplishments. He also served as Field Director for North Florida, traveling these areas establishing and re-organizing NAACP branches. He was a cabinet member under Tallahassee NAACP Presidents Allen Stucks, Charles Evans, Anita Davis and Anthony Viegbesie. His wife, Althemese Barnes, who served as Florida NAACP State Secretary for 14 years, and other family including his mother-in law, Mary Porter Pemberton and and her sister, Ida Porter Bisbee, both of whom joined as Life Members during his tenure, sister-in-law Mary Lucille Hadley (Lloyd) and their daughter Melody often traveled with him to NAACP meetings, making it a “Family Affair”.
Due to visual difficulties, Mr. Barnes, after many years with the NAACP, stepped down in early 2000 but continued supporting in other ways. To this day, many people remember and still marvel at the contribution that he made raising funds through memberships – which is the “Life Blood of the NAACP”, and assisting in the cause for racial equality - both in Key West and Tallahassee. This included the time and responsibility devoted to the Key West Masonic Lodge as Worshipful Master and travels and reenactments as a charter and active member of the Second Infantry Regiment of the United States Colored Troops and Living History Association. At age 99, Mr. Barnes, as much as possible, continued to advance the cause of humanity, civil rights and dignity for all.
A devout Christian, Mr. Barnes demonstrated through his actions a love for God and strived to “practice” the principles of the faith in his daily life. After moving to Tallahassee he started a Thanksgiving Food Giveaway, purchasing gift cards and providing food baskets to needy families referred to him by Laverne Payne, Director of the 4th Avenue Recreation Center in the historic African American Frenchtown community. He was a Treasurer and a Choir member for many years at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Key West and in Tallahassee Florida. As a longtime member affiliate of St. Michael All Angels Episcopal Church, Tallahassee, Florida, his devotion and service continued to the end of life.
Many knew Mr. Barnes as a loving, straight shooter with kindness, person. He loved his wife dearly, often referring to her as his “Queen Supreme”, and lovingly after losing his sight his “seeing eye doll”. Many who knew him well recall his “I am a Hugger Not a Mugger” t-shirts that he wore with pride as a way of encouraging and spreading affection among all people.
Leaving to cherish the memories and a life well lived are: his son who he was guardian to, Courtney Barnes; his loving and devoted wife, three grandchildren, Tyrone (Lillian), Calvin III (Carol) and Evangeline (Cleveland); 19 nieces and nephews, 28 great great nieces and nephews, 32 great great great nieces and nephews, one sister-in law, Desiree Barnes of Key West, Florida, god-daughter Lynn Legget Casamayer, four sisters-in-law, Mary Lucille Hadley, Evelyn Hackney (William), Jacquelyn Barnes, Beverly Lee (John Daryl), brother-in-law, Alphonso Pemberton and a host of caring cousins and dear friends.
Also treasuring his love is “bonus” daughter, Denise Powell, who he called his own. She was always there with and for him, along with her daughters, Brianna and Adriana and their father Byron Williams, and great-grandson Solar Williams.
Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 11:00 A.M at First Presbyterian Church, 110 North Adams Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32301. Father Hugh Chapman, St Michael All Angels Episcopal Church, Officiating. Final Resting Place: Greenwood Cemetery, 1601 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee, Florida, 32303.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the John G. Riley Foundation, 419 E. Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32301, in Memory of Calvin Barnes.

On behalf of the staff and management of Strong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc., we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Calvin Barnes.

Live Stream Links