Mary Carma (Stearns) Barnes was born on March 23, 1934 to Clark Clayton Stearns and Rose Elda Braithwaite. As a child of the Great Depression raised largely by her grandparents, Carma learned the value of hard work and frugal living early on in life. Their house in Arco, Idaho was located on a grassless hillside with a pump for water and a simple outhouse behind its granary. Their large garden required constant attention, and as a young girl, Carma would be given a penny for each row she would weed. She would also assist in caring for and extracting honey from her grandfather's many beehives. Carma learned alot from her grandmother, including how to nurture houseplants and crochet– hobbies she would be passionate about to the end of her life. And although Carma held many responsibilities in her youth, she was far from the mentality of "all work, no play". As a teenager, she loved attending the dances at both church and school. She held fond memories of her time at Butte High School, such as the time she and her classmates went on a hike during the night in order to paint "52" (their graduating year) on the hill. There she and her friends stayed–laughing and enjoying each other's company–until the sun rose the next morning. As she grew older, she participated in several choirs, where her beautiful tenor voice was enjoyed by all who heard her sing.

Since the age of 11, Carma had known and been friends with neighborhood boy Edward Tracy ("Ted") Barnes. Although they had spent time together alongside mutual friends, it wasn't until Ted returned home from serving a mission that he asked Carma on their first date. Wasting no time, Ted proposed to Carma on that date! The two were married on May 13, 1953, sealed together for time and eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple.

As their love for each other grew, so did their family. Carma and Ted welcomed 8 children into the world, all of whom were born and raised in their home state of Idaho. Carma instilled in her children the same values that had governed her own life from an early age. She taught the importance of a strong work ethic, largely by example. She gave all of herself as a stay-at-home mother–feeding, clothing, and caring for each child. When family finances necessitated it, she took a job outside the home as well, working at St. Alphonsus Hospital. A direct reflection of her own childhood, Carma also nurtured a massive family garden and regularly tasked her children with the same chore she had known in her youth. Her children knew that playing with friends could only come after the weeding was done!

Carma's desire for socializing and fun also rubbed off on the children. Her desire to attend dances as a teenager never left her, and for many years, she and Ted would go square-dancing for their date nights. The two also loved playing a variety of card and board games. The children were always invited to play with them– a tradition that continued even as they grew up and formed families of their own. The family also knew that Carma always played to win. During a tense card game, it was not uncommon for Carma's competitive nature to reveal itself in some colorful vocabulary. But even then, such words muttered in frustration would generate laughs from the family members competing against her. She loved spending time with her family just as much as she hated losing a game to them. Family vacations and family reunions were one and the same for the Barnes family, and they always consisted of a generous amount of fun and laughter.

But the most important lesson Carma taught her children (and her ever-growing posterity) was devotion to God. Devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Carma and Ted led their family with faith in the Lord and charity for all. Carma was always the first to offer assistance to someone in need or accept an opportunity to provide service in the community. Her quilting, sewing and crocheting skills gained at a young age were used countless times to create blankets, quilts, and other items for humanitarian purposes. Alongside her husband, Carma volunteered to serve multiple missions to Georgia, Florida, and the distant lands of Ghana, helping others to learn of the gospel of Jesus Christ and establish stronger family bonds through genealogy. Though these missions came at a sacrifice to them, Carma and Ted would always speak of their missionary service with great fondness and gratitude. Like her pioneer ancestors who persevered over mountains, deserts, and rivers to follow the Lord's command, Carma was a stalwart disciple of Jesus Christ who fought through many struggles and sorrows to accomplish His will. This was true of her until the very end of her life.

As Carma approached her 90th birthday and her health began to decline, the family came together to care for her. On January 13, 2024, Carma passed away peacefully in her sleep, with her eldest child lying in the bed beside her. The many individuals and families who now mourn her death are truly a testament to how her one life of selfless service and love impacted so many others. Such tears at her passing are really for those who are left here on Earth, for Carma's arrival was rejoiced over by the multitude of ancestors she worked so diligently to discover and remember.

Carma's legacy continues. She is survived by 7 children, Marylee Barrow (Gary), Sonja Fuller (Kari), Alan Barnes (Michelle), James Barnes (Julie), Robert Barnes (Michelle), Kathy Torrez (Chris), David Barnes (Cindy), 40 grandchildren, 98 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren, Marvin Stearns (Brother) and Linda Bourke and Sandy Edson (half sisters) and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Tracy (Ted) Barnes, her son Mark Barnes, her parents Clark Clayton Stearns (Jessie) and Rose Elda Broadhurst (Jim), Jim Hicks and Bob Hicks (step brothers).

Surely, no one was more eager to welcome her home than her beloved husband of 68 years. Though parted for a time by his death, Ted and Carma are now together again and forevermore.

A special thanks to the staff at All Care Hospice for her care, especially her nurse, Diana. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice under Carma's name.

Services are under the direction of Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd. Nampa, Idaho 83651.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 20th, 5pm at the LDS Chapel located at 484 S. Main St. Star, Idaho (broadcasted services made available through Zeyer Funeral Chapel). Public viewing will be at 4pm prior to the service. Graveside services will be Monday, January 22nd, 11am at Terrace Lawn Memorial Gardens in Meridian, Idaho.