Melissa Barnes

Melissa Elizabeth Cain (Barnes), 50, of Arcola, passed away at 9:28 A.M. on December 27, 2010, after a year-long battle with cancer. A celebration of her life was held from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at the Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola. Burial was in the Arcola Cemetery.

Melissa was born June 1, 1960, in Port Townsend, WA. She was the daughter of a Navy engineman and spent her early years in Honolulu, HA, and southern California. She moved with her family to Arcola in 1966.

Melissa attended Arcola public schools. She graduated from Arcola High School in 1978. She was a Riderette and a JV football manager. She earned an associate degree from Lake Land Community College and a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University. She was also a certified nursing assistant.

Melissa enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and designing dolls. She worked at Cap ’n’ Gown and Donnelly’s, was a substitute teacher, and most recently worked as the activity director at Arcola Health Care. Her most important job was as a mother and a grandmother. She had a talent for making something out of nothing and brought joy to people by showing them that the best things in life really are free.

She is survived by her children, Dylan (Nicole) Jennings of Mattoon; Lennon Jennings of Baltimore, MD; Doty Jennings of Mattoon; Zebadiah (Meriah) Jennings of Toledo, IL; Miki Jennings of Tucson, AZ; and Kayli Barnes of Arcola. Melissa’s grandchildren were a special joy to her: Gregory Jeffries, Riley Jennings, Peyton Jennings, Madilynn Jennings, and Taylor Jennings. She is survived also by her mother and stepfather, Phyllis and Bill Davis of Westmoreland, TN; sister Angie Cain of Lexington, KY; sister Kelly Silvers of Portland, TN; and brother Eric Cain of Chicago.

She was preceded in death by her father, Calvin Dwain Cain, and an infant brother, Timothy Andrew Cain.

Care giving was one of Melissa’s special gifts. Memorials were made to the Hope House in Arcola.