Ruthy Mae Copeland Barnes, age 94, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026, in Texarkana, Texas. She was born on Sept. 5, 1931, in Nashville, Ark., to the late William Calvin “Rusty” Copeland and Florence Rebecca McClure Copeland.
Ruthy was a charter member of Cornerstone Church in Nashville, Ark. She was a faithful Christian who was saved early in her life. When an opportunity presented itself, she was quick to share the Gospel. A highlight in her life occurred just a few months before her death when one of her nephews was saved. She had faithfully prayed for that to happen and she was convinced her prayers had made a difference.
She also worked as a telephone operator in the days when operators politely asked, “Number, please.” In small towns, operators often recognized callers by voice and usually knew whom they were trying to reach. She once shared that when she asked, “Number, please,” a caller replied, “I need to talk to my daughter-in-law.” Because Ruthy recognized the caller’s voice and knew who his daughter-in-law was, she connected the call correctly. The era of party lines also revealed many interesting experiences.
She had many friends and always made time to visit. In later years when it was difficult for Ruthy to be out and about, her connection with friends and neighbors was using the telephone. She said that at that point in her life she realized how important the telephone was in allowing the elderly and homebound to stay connected.
Ruthy and her husband “Bill” were also active in the Sam’s Travel Club introducing them to many new friends who traveled many places in their motor homes. Square dancing was also another favorite activity Bill and Ruthy enjoyed.
In addition to her parents, Ruthy was preceded in death by her husband, Wilburn W “Bill” Barnes: her two sisters, Ettie Virginia Copeland and Dorothy Capps: and her two brothers, M.J. Copeland and William Paul Copeland.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sister, Deronda Ann Godfrey of Nashville; her brother, Calvin Wayne Copeland (Sharon) of Nashville; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives; Special Friends, Donny and Sue Woods of Nashville; Her Church Family at Cornerstone Church of Nashville; and a host of friends and her caregivers at MRC Cornerstone Retirement Center in Texarkana and Texarkana Hospice in Texarkana.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m., on Wednesday, May 20, in the Latimer Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Latimer Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Brent Thompson and Donny Woods officiating. Burial will follow at Nashville Cemetery under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville, Ark.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Texarkana Hospice, 2407 Galleria Oaks Dr., Texarkana, TX 75503 or to Cornerstone Church of Nashville, Attention: Mark Cassady, 121 W. College St., Nashville, AR 71852
You may send an online sympathy message to latimerfuneralhome.com.
