Leah Barnes executed her last will and testament in November 1914 with the following provisions:
- to grandsons Paul and Louis Barnes, her house and lot on Viola Street adjoining the property of J.Z. Staton and Wash Pitt
- to children Edward Barnes, Maggie Barnes, Mary Jane Lane, and Frank Barnes and grandsons Paul and Louis Barnes, all personal property, to be divided equally
- Elder Jonah Williams to serve as executor and guardian to Paul and Louis if they were not yet 21 years of age
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In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Laurence Barnes, 53; wife Lizzie [sic], 48; and children Edwin, 18, Maggie, 15, Frank, 14, and Joseph, 12.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Lela [sic] Barnes, 55, widow, odd jobs laborer; children Edward, 26, wagon factory laborer, and Frank, 25, blacksmith; grandchildren Lewis, 9, and Maggie, 25, servant; and boarder Harry Draughn, 24. Leah Barnes reported that 6 of her 11 children were living.
Lear Barnes died 1 June 1915 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 62 years old; was born in Wilson County to Amos Ellis and Mary Edmundson; was a widow; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery.] Maggie Barnes was informant.