Johnny Barnes Obituary

Johnny Barnes, 61, of Spring Hope, North Carolina, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, July 12, 2025 following complications from an illness. He died peacefully surrounded by his wife of 37 years, Lisa, and their children Bethany (Grayson), Josh (Rachel), and Jacy (Charlie) and beloved niece, Brittany (Ryan). He is also survived by his loving mother, Maxine (Norman) and four grandchildren, John Pierce, Audrey, Francine, and Emaline. He is preceded in death by his father, Carson Barnes. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and leader, Johnny lived a life rooted in faith, service, and dedication to the land and community he cherished.

Born on May 28, 1964, Johnny was a lifelong resident of Nash County. After graduating from North Carolina State University, he returned to the family farm in Southern Nash County, where he poured his heart into building what would become one of the largest sweetpotato producers in the United States. Johnny's commitment to excellence and innovation transformed what was once his father's half-acre into a global operation, exporting sweetpotatoes around the world and setting new standards for the industry.

A man of unwavering conviction, Johnny's influence extended far beyond the fields. He was a respected voice in agribusiness, serving as President of the American Sweetpotato Marketing Institute and as a member of the N.C. State Board of Visitors and C-12 Christian Business Organization. His leadership extended to roles with the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission, Association of Agricultural Production Executives (AAPEX), and the Philip Morris Agricultural Development Program. He was also the co-founder of the N.C. State Executive Farm Management Program, a founding board member of the Tobacco Trust Fund, and an alumnus of the Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP).

Despite his professional achievements, Johnny was most proud of his family. He was a devoted husband to his teenage sweetheart, North Carolina State Senator Lisa Stone Barnes, and a loving father to their three children. His joy only multiplied with the arrival of his four grandchildren. Johnny's legacy of faith, perseverance, and generosity will live on through each of them. They will celebrate him each time the N.C. State Wolfpack overcomes a fierce opponent. His spirit will be felt most when the barns are full of tobacco and the sweetpotato bins are stacked high in the curing rooms.

Farming instilled the importance of taking risk and this perspective carried into Johnny's personal desires to "get up and go" whenever the opportunity arose. As an avid world traveler, he and Lisa ventured as far as the African safari, streets of Jerusalem, over Hawaiian volcanoes, and by the fertile sweetpotato fields along the Nile River. Johnny took this same decisive approach with his medical treatments - facing them head on - knowing the risks, accepting the possibilities but inevitably choosing the hard things. That was him.

Johnny found purpose in serving others. He was a man of deep faith, unwavering work ethic, and a courageous spirit who lifted those around him in praise of his Savior. Under his guidance, Barnes Farming became one of the few agricultural operations in the region to offer employees access to a chaplain from whom they could receive spiritual support and care.

While Johnny's presence will be deeply missed, his impact will be felt for generations. His son, Josh Barnes, will carry forward the family's mission as the third-generation leader of Barnes Farming Corporation.

A celebration of Johnny's life will be held Sunday, July 20th at 3:30 PM. A visitation will be held the day before, Saturday, July 19th 3:30 PM-5:00 PM. Both events will be held at Ridgecrest Worship Center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Strickland Funeral Home in Louisburg, North Carolina, is serving the family. Flowers are accepted or donations can be made to:

The Johnny Barnes Foundation for Medical Research:

First Carolina Bank

171 N. Winstead Ave

Rocky Mount, NC 27804