Frankie Lee Carnes
Frankie Lee Carnes, 82, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Monday, June 23, 2025. She was born on October 8, 1942, in Wheeling, West Virginia, a daughter of the late George E. and Bernice Lougheed Martin.
Frankie’s memory will forever live in the hearts of those she leaves behind: her husband of nearly 43 years, retired State Senator James E. Carnes of St. Clairsville; children, Kelly Anne (Wally) McCabe, Leslie Marie (Bill) Kutchell, J. Scott (Shelly) Carnes, and Kristi Lee Lipscomb, all of St. Clairsville; two step-children, Jeffrey J. Carnes of Columbus, Ohio, and Karen J. (Jim) Large of Belmont, Ohio; grandchildren, Ashley (Doug) Sands, Amanda (Brad) Schrum, Morgan Large, Jessica (Matthew) Kennedy, Kayla (Andrew) Dixon, Matthew (Gabrielle) Carnes, Kristen (Shafique Patterson) Carnes, Julie Lipscomb, and Rebekah Large; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Sands, Isabelle Schrum, Katherine Sands, Eliana Schrum, Ezra Dixon, Ella Kennedy, Elsie Kennedy, and Milo Carnes; brother, John L. (Alida) Martin of Richmond, Virginia; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cheryl E. and Donald W. Eberhart of Barnesville; and several nieces and nephews.
A proud graduate of the Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy in Wheeling, Frankie was active in public service along with her husband for many years in Belmont County and throughout southeastern Ohio. In 1975, she became the first female Director of the Belmont County Board of Elections and then became the first female Chairman of the Board in 1995. She served in that position for a total of twenty-eight years, making her the longest serving Chairman in the history of the Belmont County Board of Elections. When her husband became a State Senator in 1995 and continued in that role until 2004, Frankie perfectly fit the role of a senator’s wife and quickly became cherished and loved by people from all across the State of Ohio.
A woman of deep Christian faith and an admirable commitment to prayer, Frankie was a member and Trustee at the First Christian Church of Barnesville. She made it clear, however, that the title that mattered most to her in life was that of a wife, mom, and B-Ma to her loving and cherished family. Most of all, she will be remembered for her love of the Lord and service to others.
Family and friends will be received on Sunday, June 29, from 2-8 pm at Toothman Funeral Home, 141 S. Marietta St., St. Clairsville. Additional visitation will be held at the First Christian Church of Barnesville, 219 W. Church St., Barnesville, on Monday, June 30, 2025, from 10am until time of the funeral service at 11am with Pastor Ed Eberhart officiating. Private burial will take place at the convenience of the family in Richland Cemetery, St. Clairsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tea of Hope Ministry or the Building Fund at First Christian Church of Barnesville, 219 West Church Street Barnesville, Ohio 43713.