Loretta Carole Barnes

Loretta Carole Barnes, age 86, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.

She was born on February 28, 1940, in Galveston, Texas, to Carl and Anna Mathews, who preceded her in death.

A devoted Catholic with a deep and abiding faith in God, Loretta lived her life guided by love, resilience, and a fearless spirit. She found strength in her faith and carried it with her through every chapter of her life, trusting in God’s plan and sharing His love with those around her.

Loretta married the love of her life, William “Bill” Z. Barnes, who also preceded her in death. Together they built a life full of adventure, determination, and partnership. Their journey took them across Texas and California, eventually leading them to Alaska, where Loretta truly embodied the spirit of a pioneer woman. She even spent four summers working in a gold mine in Boundary, Alaska, and alongside her husband, helped build a trucking business in Kenai.

Due to health challenges, Loretta returned to Texas, where she regained her strength and continued to work side by side with her husband on a cattle ranch. Later, the couple moved to New Mexico, where together they started a frack water heater business, continuing their shared passion for hard work and entrepreneurship.

Loretta was known for her fearless nature and her willingness to embrace new adventures. She was never one to sit idle. From her early years, she had a love for learning new things and she started crafting “to keep her mind busy she always said”. What began as a personal passion grew into a calling—she taught her family, then friends, and eventually her entire community. Even in the weeks prior to her passing, she was still actively teaching craft classes, sharing her creativity, joy, and wisdom with others. She loved friends and family gatherings.

She is survived by her loving children, Terry Blair, Shelia Shumway, and John Michael Barnes; her brother, Paul Matthews; her cherished grandchildren, Don McAdams, Tim McAdams, Maria Hancock, Lindsey Gauthier, Shanlie Blair, Jerad Blair, Leo Blair, and Emily Blair; and her adored great-grandchildren, Cayden Blair, Carter McAdams, Piper McAdams, Tatum Gauthier, Khalil Blue, Zayne Hancock, Mavis Hancock, Leilani Blair, and Atlas Blair. She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Cody Blair, as well as her siblings, Carl Mathews and Patricia Williams.

Loretta will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, a loving wife, and a woman of unwavering faith and strength. Her legacy of courage, creativity, and faith will live on in all who knew and loved her.

At her request, no services will be held. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at the National Cemetery in Cave Creek, Arizona.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.