BARNES, VIOLA GAY (1902-1999) Viola Gay Barnes, daughter of Cemetery Caretaker, Ernest R. Barnes, lived and worked at the Texas State Cemetery from 1912 to 1950. Her family, which included other children, lived in the Caretaker's Cottage on the cemetery grounds and helped cut the grass, plant flowers, maintain monuments and other various duties.
In 1995, during the Cemetery's restoration , Miss Barnes came forward to share her memories and photographs of her life at the Cemetery. She revealed many previously unknown details about the Cemetery's history.
Having never married or had any children of her own, Governor George W. Bush, through a Governor's Proclamation, allowed Miss Barnes to be buried in the Cemetery that she dearly loved.
She died March 7, 1999, and was buried behind her childhood home, the Caretaker's Cottage, three days later.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Thatcher, Rebecca, "Barnes' memory captured history of state cemetery", Austin American-Statesman, March 10, 1999; Gamino, Denese "Woman brings history of State Cemetery to life", Austin American-Statesman, November 24, 1995; "Memories add life to State Cemetery", San Antonio Express-News, November 25, 1995; various State Cemetery documents.
