Eva was a daughter of John A. Dowell and Judith Jared who are buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Livingston County, Missouri.

Eva was married to William Burnis Barnes on February 26, 1884. A family note states, "They were married by Brother Bain, a Baptist minister, at the home of the bride's parents, located 8 miles northwest of Chillicothe, Missouri."

William and Eva had 9 children:
1. Albert Hix Barnes (1885-1955) [Eva also had a brother named Albert.]
2. George Calvin Barnes, (1887-1892). Family notes state that he was born and died in Chariton County, Missouri, but the cemetery is unknown at this time.
3. Elmer Bruner Barnes, (1890-1961).
4. Eva Elizabeth Barnes, (1891-1892).
5. Burnis B. Barnes, (1892-1987).
6. Jessie Hayden Barnes, (1896-1979).
7. Neva Jarrett Barnes, (1899-1988).
8. Vera Swan Barnes, (1901-1989).
9. Roy Paul Barnes, (1908-1992).

(Hutchinson News, Thursday, October 28, 1915, pg. 8.)
"DEATH OF MRS. BARNES - The Funeral and Burial Will Be Held at Kingsdown, Tomorrow - Mrs. Eva B. Barnes, widow of William B. Barnes, died at the family home, 619 Fourth avenue east, yesterday evening at 7 o'clock, after an illnes of five months.
Mrs. Barnes was born in Kentucky. She was 50 years of age. She was the mother of seven children. They are Albert Barnes, of Kalvesta, Kan.; Elmer Barnes, of Grisby, Kan.; Bernice Barnes, Jesse Barnes, of Kingsdown; Mrs. Neva Grow, 619 Fourth avenue east; Miss Vera Barnes, who lives at home, and Roy Barnes, who lives with his brothers in Kingsdown.
Mrs. Barnes is survived by a sister and nine brothers. She was a member of the Pentecostal church of the Nazarene.
The body of Mrs. Barnes will be taken to Kingsdown tomorrow morning by relatives, on a Rock Island train. The funeral services and burial will be held at that place."