Sandy Barnes died peacefully in her sleep the morning of January 6, 2024. She was born on August 31, 1941, to Hubert Rice and Eugenia Conley. As a child she was raised in Oil Springs, KY, until her father and mother moved her brother Larry and her to Maryland, where Hubert would become an Iron Worker and work on the original Bay Bridge. Her father built a house in Marley, MD where she lived. While attending Glen Burnie High School, she worked at the original Robinson's Department Store in the dress department in Glen Burnie where she pursued her passion for fashion. Sandy enjoyed sewing her own clothes. After graduation, Sandy went to work for the Glidden Company in Baltimore, MD until she left to raise her family.

Sandy Rice met George R. Barnes of Baltimore, MD through their love of dancing and married on October 1, 1960. Sandy and Ronny eloped because of their differences in religion, she was Lutheran while he was Catholic, fearing their parents would not approve of the marriage. They lived apart several weeks before their parents discovered they were already married and, to their amazement, insisted that they move in together, immediately. They were happily accepted on both sides of the family!

Sandy and Ronny lived in several places including Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, MD and Washington Township, NJ, while having two children, Robert (Bob) and Cynthia (Cindy). They continued together in their love of dancing, taking every opportunity to strut their stuff. When they were not dancing, they could often be found playing pinochle. Unfortunately, Ronny surprisingly passed in 1988 a few years after moving back to Severna Park from New Jersey. Ronny was the love of her life.

As the grandchildren came along, Sandy became a key figure in their lives, spending a lot of time with them, often stepping in to help, or just there when a smile or a good laugh was needed. Several of the grandchildren even spent time living under Nana's roof. It is without question that Nana will be missed dearly.

Later in life, Sandy would become Managing Partner of Sandlars, LLC along with her brother Larry Rice. Together they managed real estate and commercial buildings passed down to them from their parents in Ocean City, MD. Sandy would later manage this business by herself after another unexpected loss when her brother suddenly passed.

Sandy is preceded in death by her parent's Hubert and Eugenia "Jean" Rice, her brother Larry Rice and her husband George "Ronny" Barnes. She is survived by her two children Robert Ronald Barnes and his wife Jackie, and Cynthia Jean Barnes-Errera and her husband Danny; six grandchildren, Hallie Jean Barnes, Taylor Jean Fischbach, Brice Wesley Fischbach, Trystan Rose Matuszewski, Kelly Dunahoo and Ashley Turcotte; and two great children, Alba Jean and Casey.

Sandy was a very giving person and donated to numerous charities regularly including, but not limited to, Ronald McDonald House, Alzheimer's of America, American Heart Association, St. Jude's, Shriner's Hospitals, Wounded Warrior Project and Doctors Without Borders. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to any of the listed charities or one that is dear to your heart. They could all use a little extra help today without Sandy's future donations.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 1pm in Glen Haven Memorial Park, 7231 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061.