Sandra Mathews-Barnes

MATHEWS-BARNES, Sandra - age 65, of Fenton, passed away February 3, 2015 at Genesys Medical Center. She was born March 16, 1949 in Detroit to Norman L. and Addie Ruth (Giles) Mathews. She was a 1966 graduate of Southfield High School, a 1970 graduate of Eastern Michigan University, and obtained a M.A. in Library Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In the fall of 1970 she began her long teaching career as a high school librarian at Inland Lakes Schools at Indian River. In 1972 she began her 37 year career as an elementary librarian, kindergarten teacher, and high school media specialist at Flushing Community Schools. Sandy was a past president of the Flushing Education Association and active in M.E.A. political activities and the Genesee County Democratic Party. She was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention that nominated Bill Clinton and she attended both inaugurals for President Clinton in 1993 and 1997. Recently she served one term on the Fenton Board of Education and was a former member of the Fenton Park Board. Sandy was a member of the Fenton United Methodist Church and served two terms in charge of the district reading program of the UMW. On December 20, 1986 Sandy married Robert "Bob" Barnes at the home of her parents in Southfield. They were married by Rev. Frank Ridgeway of Ferndale, who had married her parents Norman and Ruth Mathews forty years previously. Both Bob and Sandy were teachers for the Flushing Community Schools where they met. Sandy is survived by her husband of 28 years, Bob, of Fenton; daughter and husband Katie (Mitch) Rheingans; two grandsons, Luke and Derek Rheingans. She is also survived by her brother and wife, John (Jackie) Mathews of Plymouth; brothers-in-law, Ray (Jan) Barnes of Brighton and A. James (Sarah J. Hughes) Barnes of Bloomington, Indiana and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father in 2010 and her mother in 2013. Visitation will be at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel on Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Visitation will be held Tuesday at the Fenton United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. when services will be held at the church conducted by Rev. Jeff Jaggers. Cremation will follow after the services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Fenton United Methodist Church Family Life Center Building Fund, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, or The Shelters of Flint. Online tributes may be posted on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.

Visitation

Monday, February 9, 2015 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Fenton Chapel
1000 Silver Lake Road Fenton 48430, United States

Visitation

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Fenton United Methodist Church
119 S Leroy St Fenton 48430, United States

Funeral Service

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 11:00 AM
Fenton United Methodist Church
119 S Leroy St Fenton 48430, United States