Josie Barnes, a professional ten-pin bowler, isn’t related to professional bowler Chris Barnes despite sharing the same surname.
Her birth surname was Earnest, but she changed it to Barnes after marrying her husband, Kyle Barnes, in 2017.
Josie is in the spotlight for winning the 2025 USBC Queens in Las Vegas. She earned the USBC Queens tiara and first-place prize of $60,000, defeating Sin Lin Jane from Malaysia.
She joined the PWBA in 2015, but before this, her first professional telecast was at the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open.
Moreover, she won her first major championship in the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open and earned the winner’s share of $100,000.
For me, it was about really managing my shots, my frames and making sure I was taking advantage of the lanes that were in front of me. The longer I stayed in the Winners Bracket, the better it was going to be. I tried to be smart and not get too emotional, up and down or frustrated and take what was in front of me.
Josie Barnes
On the other hand, Chris is a member of the Professional Bowlers Association and competes on the PBA Tour and PBA50 Tour.
During his 20-year career, he has won 19 PBA Tour titles and over $2.5 million (U.S.) in total prize money. He was the third bowler in PBA history to win both Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors.
On October 18, 2017, he was voted into the PBA Hall of Fame and was inducted with the 2018 class.
Josie Barnes Isn’t Related To Chris Barnes
Josie Barnes and Chris Barnes share the same surname and profession, but they aren’t related to each other. They belong to different familial lineages.
Instead, they’ve each carved out their impressive legacies in the bowling world. Josie is a rising star in women’s bowling, and Chris is a seasoned veteran in the men’s game.
Josie Barnes, the daughter of Lisa Earnest and Larry Earnest, was born on June 28, 1988, in Vandalia, Illinois. She grew up in her parents’ 12-lane bowling center.
Her parents raised her in a close-knit family alongside her sister, Jessica Earnest, who helped Junior Team USA win a team gold medal at the 2012 World Bowling Youth Championships.
Sadly, Lisa passed away in an automobile accident on her way home to Vandalia, after celebrating Joisie’s 31st birthday in Nashville.
She had taught her to be a competitive woman and to look challenges in the face.
While tragedy has affected the Earnest family, their close family group, which includes Josie, Jessica, and Larry, has tried their best to overcome the pain.
Josie and Jessica lived near one another in Nashville, while Larry is five hours away in Vandalia.
Yesterday to honor Mom we spent the day together telling all the best stories. We started with a 9 mile hike through Percy Warner where Dad found plenty of mushrooms. We finished the hike in time for me to hurry back to team practice. We ended the day with dinner where they gave Lisa Ruth some honey bee crayons. IYKYK 🥹💛🐝. So many stories. So many laughs. Her spirit survives.
Josie Barnes
Meanwhile, Chris Barnes, the son of Phillip and Joy Barnes, was born on February 25, 1970, in Topeka, Kansas.
He visits his mother and sister, Laura, who still live in his hometown, twice a year. His niece, Carley Sullivan, was a star bowler at Topeka High and joined Newman University in Wichita.
Unfortunately, on January 11, 1981, his father passed away in a house fire just two weeks before Chris turned 11 years old.
After Phillip’s death, Joy and Willie Nicklin tried their best to keep his life on track.
My mom had to be strong. She had to play both sides with a teenager that was an A-type personality, and she was, too. She had a lot to do with keeping me out of trouble.
Chris Barnes
Josie Barnes And Chris Barnes Have Different Familiar Backgrounds
Josie Barnes and Chris Barnes may share a last name, but their family backgrounds and personal lives are distinct. Their individual journeys and family dynamics set them apart.
Their family lives highlight different dynamics. Josie lives with her young family in Tennessee, and Chris with his bowling legacy in Texas.
Josie Barnes married Kyle Barnes in 2017, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Lisa Ruth, in October 2019.
The family resides in Hermitage, Tennessee, where Kyle plays a vital role in supporting Josie’s bowling career. His encouragement has been a cornerstone for Josie, especially during challenging moments.
Josie continues to excel with her family by her side, balancing motherhood and professional bowling.
Today marks 6 years that Kyle and I have been married. 💕I’m so thankful to be doing life with him. He is the best dad to Lisa Ruth and he is my biggest supporter. I could not be more excited to see where this next year leads. Love you Kyle Joseph. 💕
Josie Barnes
On the other hand, Chris Barnes has built a bowling legacy alongside his wife, Lynda Barnes, a USBC Hall of Famer and decorated professional bowler. They have been married since 1999.
Lynda has represented Team USA and Senior Team USA, winning multiple major titles, including two USBC Queens championships.
The Barnes family lives in Denton, Texas, where their twin sons, Troy and Ryan, were born in 2002.
Ryan Barnes has followed in his parents’ footsteps, bowling for Wichita State University from 2020 to 2024. In his senior year, he finished in third place at the televised finals of the PBA Players Championship.
Moreover, he joined the PBA and qualified as an exempt player for the 2025 season.
There are some things you dream about.. winning a major title, against a legend, and having your family there to help! Only thing better would have been if Troy was there too. Age helps you appreciate some of these moments the second time around. Fortunate to get the opportunity! @900.global @viseinserts @coolwick @pbatour
Chris Barnes
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Josie Barnes earned her degree in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University, where she was a 2013 inductee into the Vanderbilt Athletic Hall of Fame.
- She was a five-time member of Junior Team USA and a nine-time member of Team USA.
- She won four gold medals at the 2008 Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) Youth Championships.
- She is a pro staff member for Storm Bowling, an American company involved in the manufacture and sale of bowling balls and bowling-related accessories.
