Shirley Jean (Clay) Barnes, 85, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at the University Missouri Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri.

Born March 19, 1941 in Shibley's Point, Missouri, Shirley was the daughter of the late Henry Eldon and Edna Lucillie (Young) Clay. On January 26, 1963 in Kirksville, Missouri, Shirley was united in marriage to Arthur Barnes who preceded her in death on January 15, 2015. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Larry and Michael Clay, and her sister-in-law, Jinnie Clay.

Shirley is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Danny Barnes of Kirksville, MO, and Eugene and Jennifer Barnes of Edmond, OK; two brothers, Jerry Clay of Adair, MO, and Terry Clay of Kirksville, MO; one sister, Imogene Becker of Newark, MO; six grandchildren, Caleb Barnes, Danny Barnes, Heath (Ashley Barnes) Cary Sr., Holly (Nick) Bell, Ethan Barnes, and Sydni Barnes, three great-grandchildren, Lezlie Brogan, April Cary, and Michael Cary; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Shirley was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1959. She was employed with McGraw Edison Company a number of years. She enjoyed sewing, raising flowers, gardening, and collecting Christmas bears.

It was Shirley's wish to be cremated and family will meet with friends to celebrate her life at a later date. Arrangements were taken care of by Travis-Noe Funeral Home of Kirksville.