Sarah Victoria Cumbest-Barnes, age 85, passed away on April 21, 2026, at The Residence at Rocky Creek assisted living home in Lucedale.

Known to those close to her as “Sis,” “Sissy” or “Aunt Sissy,” she was a longtime resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, living in Gulfport, Ocean Springs and Hurley.

Sarah was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving as a shipment clerk. Following her military career, she held several civil service jobs at Keesler Air Force Base, retiring in 1995 as a printing assistant.

She volunteered at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs as a park ranger, helping with the Junior Ranger and Sea Stars programs for children. She also volunteered at the George Ohr Center in Biloxi and participated in numerous beach clean-ups. She was a skilled seamstress and also enjoyed working with ceramics and travelling with her friends.

Sarah attended St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs and was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority.

She graduated from Wade High School in 1958 and also from Draughon’s Business College in Jackson, Miss., in stenography.

She was born on September 18, 1940, to Stewart Cumbest and Louetta Fairley-Cumbest of the Three Rivers community. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers S.E. “Buddy” Cumbest and Milton Wynan Cumbest; and sisters Mavis (Jake) Bangs, Gladys (Harold) Tompkins, and Elsie (Aubrey) Goff.

She is survived by sisters Catherine “Tiny” (Wayne) Johnson and Evelyn (Glenn) Ussery; sister- in-law, Judy Cumbest; numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

The Visitation will be Friday, April 24, 2026 from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM at Moments Funeral Home. Graveside will follow in Johnson Cemetery with Rev. Ken Hembree officiating.

Pallbearers will be Rodney Johnson, Spencer Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Jerry Baker, Gareth Clary and Trevor Clary, with Tommy Tompkins as an honorary pallbearer.

The family would like to thank The Residence at Rocky Creek and Gentiva Hospice for their compassionate and professional care throughout her last few years.

Moments Funeral Home, locally owned and operated, is honored to be in charge of arrangements.