MAGGIE L BARNES LEE

Maggie L. Barnes Lee

The Catalyst of Generations

February 3rd, 1934, in Shaw, Mississippi, Maggie Lee Barnes was born to Clarence Barnes and Wyona Thompson. Fourth in line of twelve children, Maggie would be the 3rd girl born of 6. She spent her adolescent formative years, on the sharecropping farms of Bolivar County, Mississippi. Learning from her elders and assisting her mother with her younger siblings. During the Korean War, her eldest brother Willie would bring home, friend, and fellow military Boxer, Hosea Lee. At which time Hosea, often referred to by his boxing buddies as “Don Hosea”, began his courtship. Earning Maggie’s love and loyalty that would last to the end of their days.

In October of 1958, at the Age of 24, Maggie, her mother Wyona and her eleven siblings sustained the loss of their Patriarch Clarence Barnes Sr., in Mound Bayou, Mississippi.  Springing into action, Maggie and Hosea, then residing in Chicago, Illinois, would begin to pave the way. They married February 19, 1960, officially starting their life’s journey together. They went on to purchase a total of 15 acres in a short period of time in Michigan. In December of 1960 they moved her mother Wyona and the remaining siblings still living at home, to Covert, Michigan, to live on the land they had prepared for them. Not only building a solid foundation for her siblings, but also shielding them from the plights of Jim Crow.

Over the next 5 decades, Maggie would go on to dedicate her life to her business ventures as well as her family. Making a strong start at the then retail giant Spiegel, while simultaneously moonlighting at the Beauty school working hard to become a hairdresser. Her husband, while working for Oscar Mayer Foods for 30 years, also purchased their first automotive repair shop. With Maggie assisting, they grew their business to a total of 5 automotive repair facilities in the southside communities of Chicago. Two, located on State Street, one on the corner of 58th, the other on 59th. They also owned shops on 59th Street and Wentworth, 59th and Wabash and of course, the original location, also neighboring the childhood home of the Great Lou Rawls, at 56th and Wabash. Hosea’s auto Service at 59th and Wabash became their largest location. With the help of her brother Charles, they incorporated a partnership with UHaul, and added Storage services to their repertoire.  That shop became the hub of their lives, and the lives of those around them. As the last standing shop, Hosea’s Auto Service became part of the culture of southside Chicago. It, along with the other locations, landed Hosea and Maggie in a hardcover directory of America’s top businesses. In Spring of 2005, Maggie and Hosea, closed the doors to Hosea’s Auto Service after nearly 50 years in the Automotive Industry. A year after the passing of her mother, Wyona, in 2004.

Although never having children of her own, Maggie assisted in the care and raising of Hosea’s daughter Phyllis Raxton. She supported her mother and her siblings in providing, guiding, nurturing and the care of all her nieces and nephews. Often carrying her Nieces and nephews through, grade school, graduations, weddings, births, and the loss of her siblings. She was preceded in death by her Beloved husband Hosea in 2010. Maggie is also Preceded in death by four brothers Willie Barnes, Robert Barnes, Clarence (Audrey)Barnes and Joseph (Sheryl)Barnes. As well as four sisters, Virgie Mae James, Elnora (Leroy)Foster, Annie Mae (John) Davis, and Pearlie Mae (Charles) Gray.  Left with her memory, her brothers Charles Barnes of Chicago, Illinois and J.B (Antoinette)Barnes of Benton Harbor, Michigan, a sister Ruby Tinsley of St. Joe, Michigan, accompanied by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends including Cynthia, Adrienne, and fellow worshipers at Antioch M.B Church.

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