Leonie P Barnes

It is with a balance of profound sadness and victorious solemnity that we announce the ascension from Earthly life of Leonie P. Barnes.

She was a Matriarch, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, Second Mother to many, and Friend. She was lovingly known as Aunty Pat, Patsy, and Sis. Barnes.

Pat was born on October 4, 1946 in Kingston, Jamaica to Stanford and Edith Purville. She was the youngest of her siblings George, Arthur, Beverley & Olga.

She emerged from a humble and sometimes tumultuous childhood. Yet she developed a no-nonsense attitude along with a deep passion for helping others.

Her journey to adolescence set the foundation for her profound love of our Creator, and dedication to the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The medical field served as a platform where her zeal for serving was developed, utilized and ingrained as a staple of her existence. For over 40 years, Pat was a Registered Nurse, holding many supervisory roles in emergency rooms and nursing homes.

She had healing hands and mastery in the kitchen. Her very presence was soothing to many of us here.

Patsy married Oswald Lloyd Barnes in 1975. They emigrated to the United States and later conceived a daughter, Taisha, and a son, Michael.

Oswald was diagnosed with lung cancer and fought the illness valiantly until his transition in 1994. Throughout that process, the bond between Pat and her two children evolved into one of the greatest love stories this Earth could ever witness. She could often be heard saying, “Mi wi kill fi mi pickney dem.”

She started her family life in The Bronx. She later moved to Mount Vernon to be near her extended family. When her grandchildren, Storm and Sage arrived, she was happy to retire and relocate to Houston. Though moving to Texas, she never lost connection with her siblings, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Pat was well traveled. She overcame her fear of flying and visited many countries including Dubai, Turkey, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and other exotic locations. She took tons of bus trips and explored her new home in Texas.

Gardening was her passion. Her idea of a good workout was putting her hands in the dirt and tending to nature. Any plant she touched bloomed. She was part of a gardening club in Texas.

Despite not having much rhythm, she would be the first one on the dance floor. She’d throw those ‘hands in the air like she just don’t care.’ However, if you took the lead, she would surely follow the beat.

Experiencing and supporting Mike’s and Tai's career achievements in their respective fields of Music Entertainment and Real Estate continued to be a source of pride, inspiration and unmitigated joy for Pat.

In 2020 Patsy was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the appointment, the doctor said she might lose her appetite due to the treatments. Her reply was, “Mi waan si which cyansah agu mek me lose my happitite!” Would you believe she never missed a meal? Her laugh was unforgettable.

She had trepidation about undergoing chemotherapy but desired to see her grandchildren grow up. The battle was fierce, but she emerged victoriously and rang the bell for her final round of chemo in 2021.

In her own words, she "never would've made it without the unending, tireless support of her children, grandchildren, family, extended church family and of course, our loving Creator.”

For a while, Pat enjoyed a cancer-free body. While on chemo, she developed Covid which led to an early onset of dementia.

Throughout the decline of her faculties of memory, strength and cognition, her family supported her in each phase. Pat was beautifully poised, loving, and exemplified grace right up to the moment she ascended.

Patsy is survived by her daughter, Taisha, son, Michael, son-in-law Marcial, granddaughters, Storm and Sage, sister, Beverley, brother, Arthur, adopted sons, Albert and Rasheed. Nieces - Joan, Andrea, Carol, Latoya, Juliet, Nicole, Michelle, Merle, Donna. Nephews – Michael P., Neville, Wayne Sr., Chester. A host of grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends.

The definition of a full life fails to articulate the experiences (love, charity, selflessness, mental fortitude, expansion, shared joys, lives touched, foods cooked, pride, humility, wisdom, power, and endless poise) of this wonderfully created human being.

Mom made her ascension to sweet, heavenly, peaceful bliss on May 3, 2026. We are so proud of her brave heart. We take comfort knowing that energy doesn't disappear, it moves. So we will keep experiencing mom in the food we share, the stories we tell, the laughter that overtakes us, the wind on our backs, and with each rising sun.

Lovingly submitted by Taisha Docarmo & Michael Barnes.