Susan L. Perry Barnes

Susan L. Perry Barnes, 71, of Middletown, Delaware passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023. She was born in Baltimore, MD on January 15, 1952, to the late Gordon L. Toney and Betty Jo Edwards.

Susan and her husband of almost 41 years, James C. Barnes, Sr., were soulmates. They started a tire business together in 1986. Their son, Jamie Barnes, joined them shortly thereafter, and they all worked together for many years.

Susan and her husband loved to travel, and had many wonderful vacations. Susan loved music, the beach, browsing through the antique shops, and decorating her home. She and her husband always had a boat and spent much of their summers cruising the Sassafras River and the Chesapeake Bay. They were fans of fine dining, and would drive hours to a meal destination.

According to her mother, Susan loved fashion from the time she could walk, and always made it a point to look her best in a perfectly coordinated outfit.

She went out of her way to always be kind and thoughtful of others, and never missed a birthday or a special occasion.

Most of all, Susan loved God and family. She spent the last several years worshiping at Bethesda United Methodist Church, where she made a wonderful circle of friends that she lovingly called her “church family”. She especially enjoyed fellowship Sundays, and her friend, Ginny Spencer’s brownies.

Susan was pre-deceased by her brother, Gordon L. Toney, III, her mother, Betty Jo Edwards, and her beloved husband, James C. Barnes, Sr.

She is survived by two sons, Roger M. Perry and his wife, Kim of Newark, DE; James C. Barnes, Jr., and his wife, Sara of Warwick, MD; daughter, Holly Millon St. Claire and her husband, Max of Jupiter, Florida; seven grandchildren: Dylan Perry, Jessica Perry, Allison Barnes, Cameron Barnes, Stephen Worsley, Rachel Millon St. Claire, and Kirsten Millon St. Claire; and a nephew, Joshua Toney and his wife, Alexis of California.

Per Susan’s wishes, services and burial will be private for family only.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to “Bethesda United Methodist Church”, 116 East Main Street, Middletown, DE 19709.