Debra Louise Barnes, age 70, of Merchantville, New Jersey, formerly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in Williamstown, New Jersey.
Debra was a graduate of Frankford High School and attended the Community College of Philadelphia. She dedicated much of her career to serving children and families through the School District of Philadelphia. She served as a School Community Coordinator at Elkin and Stearne Elementary Schools before becoming a Family Service Worker with Head Start.
Outside of her work, Debra was an avid dog lover who enjoyed baking and, most of all, spending time with her family.
Debra was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Steve Barnes, who passed away in November 2017.
She is survived by her children, Steven Barnes and his wife, Suzanne, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania; Tracy McKinney and her husband, Robert, of Wilmington, Delaware; Brian Barnes of Atlantic City, New Jersey; and William Barnes and his wife, Ha, of Pennsauken, New Jersey. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sara, Steven, Claudine, Isabelle, and Olivia; her siblings; many nieces and nephews; and Melissa Barnes, mother of Isabelle and Olivia.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 12:00 noon at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. Family and friends may visit beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Debra’s memory to the Pennsylvania SPCA, 350 E. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134.
For online condolences, please visit: mccreryandharra.com
