SPRINGFIELD – Sondra "Sandy" Rees Barnes, 87, passed away Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Regency Care.

She was born August 17, 1936, the daughter of George W. and Alma M. (Durham) Rees. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, George T. Rees; brother-in-law, Mark Kerber; and niece, Kristin Rees.

Sondra graduated from Enos Grade School, Lanphier High School, and Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, as a Registered Nurse.  She worked at Springfield Memorial Hospital; Methodist Hospital in Peoria, IL; The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, MA; The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA; and retired from Andrew McFarland Mental Health Center in 2002 after 27 years of service, working the 11pm to 7am shift.

Sondra was a member of the former Elliott Avenue Baptist Church, where she was happy to serve the Lord on several committees, did some substitute Sunday School teaching and served as President of the Ladies Aid for a short time, and belonged to the "Come Join Us" class.  She loved to travel and enjoyed going to England and on vintage train trips. For the last several years, she happily called the Illinois Presbyterian Home (IPH) in Springfield home.  Above all, Sondra loved, and was loved by, her friends, IPH family, church family, and extensive family, especially her grandkids!

She is survived by her children, Carl (Melitsa) Barnes and Jennifer Barnes; sister, Karen Kerber; sister-in-law, Mary Anne Brooks Rees; brothers, Tyre Rees and Thomas (Johnyne) Rees; grandchildren, Aiden, Cullen and Ellia Barnes; several nieces and nephews, and many cousins!

Her family wishes to thank all the CNAs, Nurses, and Doctors that have cared for her over the years, and especially over the last several months and weeks.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 3, 2023, at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.  To view the funeral service, please CLICK HERE

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Illinois Presbyterian Home, Springfield, IL; Lake Springfield Baptist Camp, Springfield, IL; University of Illinois Foundation fbo Illinois Public Media (WILL-TV), Champaign, IL; and Samaritan's Purse, Boone, North Carolina.