Mildred S. Barnes

Mildred Smith Barnes passed away in her sleep at the age of 92 years old on June 9th. Millie, or Milm, as she was known to her family, was born on September 22, 1930 to Raymond and Constance Kinnard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Germantown with 3 sisters (Connie, Alice, and Anne) and 2 brothers (Freddie and Herb). Millie graduated in 1951 from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia. She married George W. Smith that same year. They raised 3 children: Stephen, Susan, and Eric. After moving to Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, George passed at the age of 45. Millie began working for the Visiting Nurses until she was able to get a job at Slippery Rock State College's Health Center. During this time Millie became married to Alfred Barnes. They lived happily together, until Al passed in 1981. Millie took courses at Slippery Rock State College and obtained a B.S. in nursing. She then continued her education at the University of Pittsburgh earning a Nurse Practitioner's degree as one of the program's first graduating class. She then relocated to Pittsburgh and became the head of employee health care at Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, where she worked until retirement. Millie was always very involved in the church wherever she lived and had a very strong faith. She touched the lives of so many people. She was the first female Elder to be named at Center United Presbyterian Church. Millie's strongest and last church connection was at Sixth Presbyterian Church, where she also served at various times as a Deacon and the Clerk of Session. She loved her church family and the wonderful spirit of love and acceptance. Even into her 80's she was always a voice in the fight for equality, participating in community activism through her church. A memorial service will be held for Millie on June 19th at Sixth Presbyterian Church, Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Sixth Presbyterian Church in honor of Mildred S. Barnes. Millie is survived by: her sister, Alice Davidson, her children, Stephen Smith and his wife Kathleen, Susan Thomas and Eric Smith; her grandchildren: Heather Thomas, Christopher Smith and his wife Kara, Matthew Smith, and Alexis Green and her husband Lamarr; and her great grandchildren: Azola Thomas Owens, and Giovanni, Lena and Lulu Green.

Mildred S. Barnes

September 22, 1930 - June 9, 2023