PERRYVILLE -- Zita M. Barnes, 97, formerly of Perryville, died Wednesday, March 11, 1998, at her daughter's home in Godfrey, Ill.

She was born Dec. 21, 1900 at Perryville, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ora Thorp Comte.

She was married to Walter Barnes on Dec. 20, 1920. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by two sons, Leo Barnes of Raton, N.M., and Walter Barnes of Wentzville; three daughters, Wilma Sawyer of Godfrey, Ill., Vivian Hayden of Perryville, and Zita Holden of Alten, Ill.; two sisters, Rachael Hagan of Ste. Genevieve and Marie Counts of Perryville; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

One grandson, three sisters and five brothers preceded her in death.

She had been a homemaker. She was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey. Prior to that, she was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville. She was a member of the Ladies of Charity for 55 years.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. today, Sunday, at the Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville. Parish wake will be at 7 p.m.. Friends also may call from 6:30 to 10:50 a.m. Monday. The Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville. The Rev. Gerald P. Kelly and the Rev. Francis Agnew will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.