Obituary of Myshia K. Jones-Barnes

Myshia was born to Gladys and John H. Wilson in Jan. 1, 1981 at Kennedy Hospital in Stratford, NJ. She came into the world with a flare for making an entrance and arrived at six weeks earlier than expected. From infancy, Gladys and Myshia were inseparable. The twosome had a secure and loving bond, that never faltered or wavered through the years. As the first grandchild to Dilcie Williams and John Jones, Myshia was the baby of the family for a long time and the apply of everyone's eye - including Aunts Kim Jones and Serena Franks plus Uncles Keith, Kurt and Clifford Jones. As a young girl, Myshia had an outgoing personality and loved to sing. She had an angelic voice and big dreams. She would enter singing competitions and pageants. She traveled around Pennsylvania, driven by her aunts and uncles and cheered on by her family. Gladys made sure Myshia grew up in church and as a child, she spent a great deal of time at Cecil Tabernacle. In high school, she fiercely independent and attended her prom with a group of friends, having a blast and not conforming to the traditional take-a-date-to-prom norm. Myshia's close-knit circle of friends was #squadgoals before hashtags were popular. Myshia graduated from Overbrook High School in 1999. Always the go-getter, after high school, Myshia pursued her cosmetology certificate at Phillips Beauty School in Blackwood, NJ and earned her license in 2000. It during this time that Myshia used her Aunt Serena as her beauty school test subject, resulting in crazy haircuts and an allergic reaction to hair dye - shenanigans that sitcom writers would dream of. On October 6, 2000 Myshia welcomed her first child, Iycis Siani-Aliyah Stewart with Brian Stewart. Motherhood came naturally to the patient and loving Myshia, with Iycis becoming her best friend. Myshia would have baby Iycis doing the Harlem shake, and she spent countless hours laughing, singing and playing with her. She was able to balance the line between mother and friend, allowing Iycis space to grow and feel comfortable enough to confide in her. Knowing it takes a village to raise a child, in addition to her immediate family, Myshia was blessed to have the help and support of Sharita and Luis Rivera, Iycis' paternal grandparents. The blended family had a close relationship and grew closer as Iycis and Myshia each got older. Myshia worked as a hairstylist for a few years, then went on to work for Fox 29 in Philadelphia, in their Finance department. She then spent a few years at The Art Institute of Philadelphia as a Financial Aid Advisor. It was during this time, while working in the city, that she met her future husband, Insunn Barnes, in 2010. Insunn was a single father and Myshia was a single mother. While they dated their families and lives intertwined. On dates, their daughters Tatiyana, "Tatti" Barnes Buchanan and Iycis played together and shopped arm-in-arm while sharing giggles and girl time. Insunn says that as he watched Myshia interact with her family and his daughter, his love grew for her. Her big heart was undeniable, with her inner beauty matching her outer beauty. Myshia was known to be generous, always wanting to bless another person with kind words, a loving hug and even gifts. She could often be found talking to strangers and holding conversations anywhere with her new friends, from Walmart to toll booths and anywhere in between. In each home she lived in, she knew all her neighbors by name and would offer them warmth and friendship. Being welcoming and bubbly was hard wired in her DNA. Thanksgiving was one of Myshia's favorite holidays, as she would host her annual Friendsgiving, with friends from her past and present mingling - to feast together, playing games, dance, sing, and have a good time. Throwing parties was a natural gift for the hostess with the most-est. In the early 2000s, Myshia started working as an event planner with Ashanti Kennedy and Dynasty Events. Their first event was an unpaid job but because of their dedication, they treated their client as if they were earning millions form each event. The duo worked closely for years, creating memorable experiences for their clients, be it for birthday parties, anniversary celebration, weddings or baby and bridal showers. The friends gave every client an event to remember, and they treated each customer as if they were a new member of the family. After a hiatus from her work with Ashanti, Myshia started MK Special events as an outlet for her creativity. With each affair thrown, her passion and work ethic was ever-present. Myshia had a heart for giving, deciding to adopt multiple families at Christmas time, making sure those less fortunate had a abundance of presents, love and food during the holiday season. Myshia's desire for helping those in need rubbed off on her family as they pitched in to donate money and gifts for her charitable Christmas missions. On May 1, 2021, Myshia and Insunn welcomed their daughter Solei "SoSo" Lee Barnes. With the birth of their baby, Insunn moved in with his new family. He would let Myshia sleep through the night as he did nigh-time feedings with little SoSo. Solei was a Daddy's girl form the start, but she also help her mother's heart. Like her mother, Solei also has a love for music and con often be found humming songs. Myshia and Insunn were married on August 20, 2016. The new bride also embarked on a career change and joined Rutgers University-Camden's Financial Aid Department in 2016. In true Myshia fashion, her co-workers instantly became her extended family. It was normal to find co-workers at family functions, laughing and playing games with the family. Myshia continued her event planning passion, and opened Suite 105, with her husband Insunn Barnes and the support of close family. The new entrepreneurs ere excited to transform the event space, determined to create a business that was also a legacy for their family. Clients became friends and repeat customers because Myshia knew how to throw a party. She gave one thousand percent of herself to her work, with her husband Insunn often call her superwoman because of all she was able to accomplish. Outside of work, Insunn says he remembers how often he'd find Myshia singing and dancing around the house. As she got older, he'd remind her to take it easy, but the free spirited and fun loving Myshia would keep dancing and singing, despite what her knees might say later. Myshia has a special and close bond with her younger cousins Shakirah, Jordan and Jocelyn "JJ" Jones. She would walk into talk to their "big sister". Family was a high priority for Myshia. In addition to being a rock for Shakirah, Jordan, and JJ, her little cousins Ava Jones, Nyla Analia and Elijah Franks, Jahni and Royal Brown were also loved by her. Myshia and Gladys would host an annual Cousins' Christmas event, spend time together baking goods and enjoying the holiday spirit. Myshia will be remembered as a beautiful soul. She could light up any room and was the life of every party. She was smart, quick-witted and loving... everything you needed her to be when you were in her presence. She was kind and gentle. She was a friend to everyone that knew her, offering words of encouragement and always shoeing great compassion. Myshia Jones Barnes passed away the morning of Sunday, July 11, 2021. She was wife to Insunn Barnes, and mother to Iycis Stewart, Solei Barnes and bonus mom to Tatiyana Barnes Buchanan. She leaves behind mom Gladys Jones, siblings Joshua Jackson and the children he shares with Christina Ogrysseck - nieces Kianna and Kayla and nephew Isaiah. She will be sadly missed by her aunts, uncles, cousins, loved ones and friends. May her memory be a blessing.