Wendy Barnes Johns

Wendy Lee Barnes (Johns) passed away peacefully on August 25, 2021 after a long battle with dementia. She was 71. Her children would like to thank Pacifica at Woodmont for their care in her final days.

Wendy was born on December 18,1949 to Don Livingston Barnes, a Navy Pilot and his wife, Billie Jo Barnes in Maryland. A self-proclaimed "Navy Brat", she enjoyed reminiscing about the families adventures, including their return to the states after a stationing in Japan - along with a new younger sister. Wendy was an enrolled member of the Dumna/Kechayi Yokuts Tribe of California, Eagle Totem. She was one of the last surviving great-great-granddaughters of Chief Tom Kit, who signed the Camp Barbour Treaty with the United States in 1851 in an effort to save his people.

The family finally settled in Pensacola, where Wendy graduated from Woodham High School in 1968. She married David Charles Parker in 1969 and welcomed their first child, Karen Parker Markiewicz to be followed by David Livingston Parker 2 years later. Thinking the family complete, they were surprised and overjoyed to welcome Charles Henry Parker in 1978.

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Wendy had number of professions over the years, notably being one of the last Western Union Telegraph courier drivers in Tallahassee...not knowing who Bruce Springsteen was at the time, she turned down tickets to his show after she delivered a telegraph to him. This was something her kids would remind her of in later years. She also spent a number of years as the Assistant Produce Manager for the Winn Dixie in Monticello. She proudly ended her career working for the Wakulla County School System as a "Lunch Lady"....she loved making the baked goods.

Wendy was very proud to be an indigenous woman, and instilled that pride in her children. She enjoyed dancing and was a member of the Strawstreet Cloggers as well as a traditional American Indian dancer. She was a founding member of the Shawl Circle initiative with the Florida Department of Health. Being among hokvke yekce offered her the opportunity to travel throughout the United States speaking about both cervical and breast cancer early detection along HIV prevention in native communities. An avid animal lover, she was very proud of all her fur-grandkids and would often share stories as well as being the very best "babysitter" for them.

She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Patricia Jo Marquis as well as son-in-law Jeff Simons and fur-grandkids Violet Simons; Gretchen and Gracie Parker; Sammy, Osan, Annie and Robin Parker. Wendy leaves behind her daughter, Karen and her husband Edward Markiewicz, as well as her sons David and his wife Dixie Parker and Charles Parker. She is survived by her fur-grandkids, Magnus Simons and Goose Markiewicz along with Heathcliff and Amanda Parker. Her youngest sister, Penny Dee Barnes also survives her as well as nieces, a nephew and a host of cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 25th at 2:00 in Tallahassee, Florida at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road.