Melanie Lee Roberts Barnes

Melanie Lee Roberts Barnes, of Gillette, passed away on Oct. 4, at the age of 46, after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

Barnes was born on March 10, 1968, in Montpelier, Idaho, to Russell Boyd Roberts and Carol Nate Roberts. She was a graduate of Star Valley High School in 1986. She continued her education and graduated from the University of Wyoming in May of 1990 with dual majors in elementary education and special education. Barnes was sealed to Nathan H. Barnes in the Salt Lake Temple on Oct. 14, 1994.

Barnes always had a great love of music. She was an accomplished pianist and took every opportunity to share this talent with others. She taught piano to many students. She also played the viola in elementary school and continued through high school. She resumed playing when her family moved to Gillette, where she joined the Powder River Symphony Orchestra. Barnes also had a love and talent for crocheting. She crocheted blankets for each child born into the family as well as for numerous other loved ones. She enjoyed quilting and cross stitching.

She also had a good sense of humor and a contagious laugh.  She had a great love for children. She was passionate about family history and genealogy, and she had a remarkable memory for relations, dates and events.

Barnes was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many different callings and capacities.

She is survived by her husband, Nathan H. Barnes of Gillette, along with their three children, Meagan Noel, Elizabeth Anne and Gavin Nate; her mother, Carol Nate Roberts of Cowley; a brother, Boyd Roberts of Jackson; and three sisters, Meredith (Richard) Despain of Cowley, Rebecca (Clint) Merritt of Cody and Suzette (Kyle) Luthi of McKinney; as well as numerous extended family members and many cherished longtime friends. She was preceded in death by her father Russell Boyd Roberts and both her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Funeral service for Melanie Barnes will be at 11 a.m., Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1500 Ohara Dr, in Gillette.

Burial will take place Oct. 13 at Cokeville Cemetery in Cokeville. Visitation will take place 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Walker Funeral Home in Gillette.  

Memorials and condolences may be sent in Melanie's name to the family in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette, Wy. 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the web at http://www.walkerfuenralgillette.com.