Skye Avalyn Barnes

Skye Avalyn Barnes, 19, an honors student in the computer science degree program in the College of Engineering at NC State University in Raleigh, died unexpectedly on Saturday, February 11, 2023.

Skye graduated with honors from Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas, in May 2022. Skye’s engineering teacher at Wakeland High School stated, “Skye served as a model student leader, with an infectious passion for all she did. I often use her portfolio as a reference for my students to see.  Skye was always someone her peers could look to for ingenuity and confidence.”

Skye’s professors at NC State University described her energy as simply contagious and radiating joy; a dedicated student who was the first to learn and recount all her classmates’ names, and an outstanding student with skills beyond their expectations. Skye left a lasting impression on all those around her, and will be greatly missed in her classes.

Skye loved gaming, video game programming, and enjoyed being a Scrum master for her programming class projects. She also loved shopping, fashion and style, drawing, and writing. Risotto was her favorite food, which she dressed up for, to relish with her boyfriend Greyson, whose family loved her dearly. Skye treasured being silly and goofy with her BFFs, especially with Kylee as they accumulated photo shoots and stuffed animals.

Skye and her mom Fara shared precious moments of their lives over facetime every day, from their innermost thoughts to doing homework together. They were planning travel adventures including a trip to visit her brother Maximilian, his wife Talia, daughter Everlee, and a baby girl on the way.

Skye cherished her visits with her Mimi and Pap-pap and their various family trips and gatherings, particularly those to Maryland, Maine and the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  At Christmas, she decorated their home like a magical Christmas village and said she was counting the days until she next saw them over spring break.  

Family time was always filled with togetherness. Straight from the plane, to the Miracle on 34th Street with her mom and Uncle Adam, being doted on by her Mimi and Pap-pap on daily escapades to family favorite haunts and shops, nightly back and foot rubs from her mom, to the ultimate family Christmas charcuterie party chockfull of games and prizes at Aunt Pookie’s cabin.

All family and friends knew Skye for running into their arms and giving “the best hugs”, lighting up a room, and kindness. Those are just a few things for which she will be deeply missed.

Skye is survived by her parents, grandparents, brother, aunts, uncles, nieces and extended family.

A celebration of Skye’s life was at a later date.