Kali Nicolle Barnes

Our beloved Kali Nicolle Barnes, 28, died on Friday August 12, 2022. While her death was unexpected, Kali suffered from addiction, and for years we feared addiction would claim her life. Memorial Services will be held Thursday, August 18th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes & Crematory in Bowling Green with Rebecca Glenn officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes & Crematory in Bowling Green. Kali was born January 28, 1994, in Troy, MO at Lincoln County Memorial Hospital. Kali moved to Columbia, MO with her mother Nikki, when she was 7 months old and lived there until she was 27 years of age. She moved to Bowling Green, MO for a brief period and was living in Farmington, MO when she passed. Kali was a bright light; an enormous amount of energy surrounded her. She always had time to listen and without judgement would offer a hug, a hand and a smile that would light up any room. Kali had a beautiful laugh, the kind that made people happy just hearing it. Kali enjoyed water. It didn’t matter if she was on a boat, especially when wearing a sweatshirt, swimming or floating in it, or just looking at it. Three Creeks was one of her favorite parks to take her friends and siblings to so they could rope swing. Hiking thought Gans Creek and Rockbridge State Park, being grounded in nature and surrounded by trees was one of her favorite things to do. She enjoyed really loud music, lazy rainy days, the results after working out, a game of spades, binging Nexflix, milkshakes, a nice suntan, compliments from good friends and going on last minute trips. Kali enjoyed journaling and writing poems. She became a licensed massage therapist in 2017. Anyone that had the pleasure of experiencing a massage from her knows what an extremely talented, insightful human she was. It is impossible to capture a person in an obituary, and especially someone who’s life was largely defined by addiction. Kali’s relationship with addiction stated when she was 17. This relationship would dominate the rest of her life. To some, Kali was just an addict. But, to most, and the ones that mattered, she was bright, funny, athletic, warm, fearless and resilient. She was a warrior. Kali could talk to anyone and when you were in her company you wanted to stay there. She was adored as a daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend, granddaughter and mother. Being loved by Kali was on astonishing gift. Kali loved her family, but more than anything she loved her children. After Lazarus was born in 2017 she transformed her life to be a mother to him. She loved to take him outdoors with her, whether it be to hike or to swim. And as she loved those things, so does he. Kali referred to herself as a stage 5 clinger and she clung to her son, soaking up every snuggle and sweet baby kisses. After having Laz, Kali tried even harder to stay sober, but relapse led to her losing him for a period of time. As unbearable as that loss was she didn’t give up, but continued to fight. She graduated a 20 month drug court program, wiping her record clean and earning her, her sweet son back. A fresh start. During that period of time in July of 2019 she gave birth to Arya Rose. Kali was now working as a massage therapist and juggling an infant, toddler all the while trying to maintain her sobriety. Unfortunately, in 2021 a relapse would lead to her losing both of her babies, a loss that was unbearable. Her disease then took her to places of incredible darkness, and this darkness compounded on itself, as each unspeakable thing that happened to her and each horrible thing she did in the name of her disease exponentially increased her pain and shame. Addiction stalked her and stole her from us. Kali is survived by her son, Lazarus; her daughter, Arya; her parents, Nikki Deters (David) and Gus Barnes; brother, Jake; sister, Sadie; stepsisters, Gabi and Grace Deters; stepbrother, Gavin Deters; grandparents, Tom and Kathie Branstetter and Wanda Barnes; step grandmother, Elaine Deters; many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Hugh Barnes. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to "To Write Love On Her Arms" (www.twloha.com), a movement Kali adamantly loved and supported. Memorials may also be made to Laz Barnes and Arya Parker scholarship fund. If you yourself are struggling from addiction know that every breath is a fresh start. Know that hundreds of thousands of families who have lost someone to this disease are praying and rooting for you. Know that we believe with all out hearts that you can and will make it. It is never too late. We take comfort in knowing that Kali is surrounded by light and love, she is free from the struggle that haunted her. Our grief over losing her is infinite. And now so is she.

Kali Nicolle Barnes

January 28, 1994 - August 12, 2022