Lee Barnes Obituary

TUPELO – Lee Anne Barnes completed her earthly marathon on June 15, 2025 and went to join her Heavenly Father. A treasured mother, wife, sister, teacher, and friend, she blessed the lives of her family, friends, and thousands of students with her gifts of music, wisdom, and laughter. Lee Anne was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on September 13, 1964 to Dr. Mary Virginia Charlton Dublin and the Rev. Dr. William Brooks Dublin Jr. The oldest of four sisters, Lee Anne spent her childhood exploring nature for hours and getting lost in books. She developed an early aptitude for music, and was a gifted pianist and clarinetist at a young age. Lee Anne graduated from Blytheville High School in 1982 as the valedictorian of her class. In 1986, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Arkansas State University In 1988, she earned a Master's degree from Baylor University in clarinet performance. Lee Anne began her lifelong vocation sharing the joy of music with students in 1988. Over 34 years, she served as a music teacher at 11 schools, teaching thousands of students ranging from Pre-K to 6th grade. Lee Anne had a passion for transforming her students' favorite books and lessons into original music programs. Over the course of her career, she authored dozens of plays focusing on the Tupelo community, instilling a love of music in the hearts of many. Lee Anne's creativity was in a class of its own; during the COVID pandemic, when sharing instruments and singing through masks posed a challenge, Lee Anne designed a custom unit focused on songbirds, teaching her students about the beauty of pitch that surrounds us in nature. In recognition of her many talents, Lee Anne was named a quarterfinalist for the 2025 and 2026 Grammy Music Educator Awards. Lee Anne generously shared her gifts with her colleagues and community, serving as a National Board Mentor to dozens of teachers across the state, with an unmatched 100% certification rate among her mentees. She was selected to be a National Board examiner in elementary music, providing feedback on our nation's best and brightest music educators. Lee Anne's passion for music extended to her community; she was a member of Tupelo First United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Chancel Choir and the Sanctuary Handbell Choir. Additionally, she volunteered with the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, playing clarinet and assisting in the organization of the annual orchestral performance for children across Northeast Mississippi. Lee Anne developed a deep passion for fitness and running in her forties, serving as an inspiration to those seeking to build a healthier life. For years, she authored a column in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Setting the Pace with Grace. She ran over 30 half marathons, four marathons, and participated in several triathlons. Lee Anne was selected as a 2024 Team TCS Teacher, running the New York City Marathon and sharing her fitness journey and passion for teaching on the national stage with Good Morning America and People magazine. Above all, Lee Anne was proudest of being a loving mother to her children as well as a devoted wife to her husband. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Virginia Dublin, and her father, William Brooks Dublin, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Os Barnes; her children, Abby Grace (Alden) and Keegan Grace (Leon); step-daughter Heather Barnes; and step-son Gray Barnes (Katelyn), and their son Tripp. She is also survived by her sisters, Colleen Dublin, Mary K. Oglesby (John), and Cindy Moring (Michael); her nieces and nephews Collin Cowgill, Jay Oglesby, Carly Oglesby, Danny Ball, and Jimmy Ball, as well as extended family members Joe Barnes (Tammy), Cathy Grace, Charles Grace, and Mason Grace. Services will be held at First United Methodist Church Tupelo on Thursday, June 19, 2025, with visitation from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and the funeral at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Lee Anne Barnes Music Fund, which will support the purchase of instruments for underprivileged students in the Tupelo Public School District. Contributions may be made by check, payable to "CREATE Foundation" with "Lee Anne Barnes Music Fund" in the memo line, and mailed to CREATE Foundation, P.O. Box 1053, Tupelo, MS 38802. Donations can also be made online at createfoundation.com. To send flowers to the family of Lee Anne Barnes, please visit our floral store.