Loye Helen Trusler Barnes

Loye Helen Trusler Barnes passed away peacefully with her family at her side on July 12, 2025, after a long illness. She was born in Denver, Colorado on May 2, 1940, to Graydon Tipton Trusler and Alice McGarr Trusler. Her family moved to San Angelo in 1946 where she met the love of her life, John Barnes, in first grade at Santa Rita Elementary. After graduation from Central High School, she attended Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She and John returned to San Angelo in 1972 after John completed his medical training.

Loye was a respected volunteer leader in San Angelo, serving as president of both the Junior League and the Symphony League. She was a master gardener. She was a voracious reader and puzzler and instilled a love of mysteries and word games in her children and grandchildren. She was a sports fanatic and a great tennis player. She was a talented cook and was always on the lookout for new recipes. She enjoyed knitting and created many beautiful scarves for her family and friends. She was also a proud “cat lady.”

Above all, Loye was a wonderful, warm, and loving Mama to her children and grandchildren. Her family loved visiting Mama’s house and being treated to her famous lasagna or the secret family salsa. We are fortunate to have treasured memories of many holidays with Mama.

Loye was smart, tough, and relentlessly positive. She had a smile and a kind word for others up to the very end of her life. She fought hard to stay with us, but it wasn’t meant to be. We are comforted that she is free of suffering and is reunited with her beloved husband. We will miss her forever.

Loye is survived by her children, Alice Barnes Viroslav and husband Sergio, Kathy Barnes Stell and husband Andrew, and J. Tipton Barnes and wife Stephanie; her grandchildren Hannah Viroslav McFarland and husband Dan, Anna Stell Foley and husband Brennan, Andie Viroslav, Sadie Stell, Evan Viroslav, Margaret Stell, and Marlowe Barnes; and her great granddaughter Harper Helen Foley. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 64 years, John Littleton Barnes, her brothers Graydon Trusler and Mike Trusler, and her grandson Robert Littleton Stell. The family is grateful to Dr. Sarah Cameron, Colby, and the staff of N. Central Baptist Hospital in San Antonio for the excellent and compassionate care that they provided, Billie Sheeran for her love and support of our mother, and Comfort Keepers for their care and companionship.

The Funeral Service will be 10:00 A.M., Tuesday July 22, 2025, at Harper Funeral Home with burial at Fairmount Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial.

Memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, www.fpwr.org, or a local charity of your choice.