Lydia Elaine Barnes, beloved sister, daughter, and partner passed away January 19th 2026. Lydia was born on September 26, 1997 in Pekin, Illinois. She was the fourth of eight children. 

She spent most of her childhood growing up in Argentina, which influenced her great love of animals.

She was a beloved and valued employee of the City of Collinsville.

Lydia was kind to all, smart, and beautiful inside and out. Her infectious giggle could light up a room. 

She was fiercely loving and loyal, with a big smile and a bigger heart. She loved animals, music and books, and she enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, like doing puzzles and baking. 

Lydia was also adventurous, strong-willed, and never wavered in her convictions. Her family and her partner were the most important things to her. We will always remember her as being just a phone call away when we needed her, ready to listen and offer support. She will be missed more than words can say, and her memory will warm our hearts as long as we live. 

Lydia is survived by her parents, Greg and Carla Barnes; and siblings Caleb, Abigail, Nathanael and Miriam Barnes, Hannah Scott, Joanna Graves, and Jared Estrada. As well as her partner Joe “Hootie” Pembroke; nieces Gia Graves, Eleanor Scott, and nephews David, Jonathan, and Alec Scott; brothers and sister-in-law, grandparents, and an aunt and cousin.

In lieu of flowers the family asked that people make donations to Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter in Gainesville.

The memorial service was informal at 6:00PM at Waldo Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, January 23rd and the family welcomed everyone to wear something purple in Lydia’s honor. There was no graveside service.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:4-8 NIV)