On Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, Valerie Jean Barnes (Courtney), beloved wife and mother, died from cancer at the age of 41 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, U.K.
Valerie was born on Nov. 25, 1977, in Evanston, to William and Kathleen Courtney. She graduated from Big Piney High School in 1996, and Spirit Life Bible College in 2001. She married Daniel Barnes on May 5, 2001. Along with her husband, she was the lead pastor of Stevenage Vineyard Church in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, U.K.
Valerie’s light shone bright for others. She loved supporting and working with vulnerable people abroad, and she lived in the Philippines as a missionary. In addition, she worked in Cambodia with orphans, children and families to lift them out of poverty, and she was involved in setting up organizations in the U.K. that fed and supported hundreds of homeless and vulnerable people.
Her work always involved working with some group of people that needed help and included older adults, children with learning disabilities and people in need of some guidance. As lead pastor of the church, she was looked up to by many, yet responded by serving the people around her in any way that she could.
Valerie is survived by her husband, Daniel and two sons, Ethan and Jesse of Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire; her parents, William and Kathleen Courtney of Sheridan; sister, Heather Warfield of Concord, New Hampshire; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents and maternal grandmother.
A funeral service was held on Friday, Jan. 18, at Letchworth Free Church, Norton-Way S, Letchworth Garden City, and interment is in Willbury Hills Cemetery, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, U.K.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, at the Barn in Big Horn, 228 Johnson St., Big Horn, with dinner to follow. A memorial fund has been established and financial contributions and cards can be sent to: Valerie Barnes Memorial Fund, Bank of the West, 2 N. Main St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Daniel 12:3: “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
