About

Linda Barnes has resided in Rock Island since November 1989. The following year, she and her husband purchased their first home. Linda immediately looked for community service opportunities and walked into a neighborhood meeting. The rest is history, marking decades of community service and volunteerism in the Rock Island community.

While working full-time and parenting small children, Linda obtained her undergraduate degree from St. Ambrose University, where she studied accounting and business management, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Elected Studies in 1999. Later, she returned to school and completed a graduate degree in Public Administration in 2009. Linda also holds an associate's degree from 1985 in data processing (computer programming) from Northwest Mississippi Community College.

Linda is married to Aubrey Barnes, Pastor of Christ Redemption Pentecostal Church in Rock Island and Marine Corp Veteran. They are the parents of Aubrey K Barnes, educator and poet, Rock Island Citizen of the Year 2023; Brieanna Barnes, who currently resides in Nashville, TN and works as a certified athletic trainer; and the late Benjamin Barnes, who graduated from Hamilton Technical College and studied psychology and political science at Metropolitan State University.

Linda considers herself a servant leader and has been fortunate to serve the Rock Island community.