Irmo, SC - Rev. Robert Carson Barnes, Jr., “Bob”, born to Robert and Vivien Barnes on January 29, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama peacefully passed into his savior’s arms November 10, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina at the age of 92.
Bob loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. He dedicated his life to bringing people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and helping them develop their relationship with Christ. He was a strong leader in whatever context he found himself from high school student body president to pastor. Even so, he cultivated a tenderness with his family and people in need. He was a doer – the fall that ultimately took his life happened while he was canning soup for the winter. He had a wide range of interests (gardening, hunting, raising orchids woodworking), was mechanically inclined and blessed with a prodigious memory.
Bob was educated in Birmingham public schools, Howard College (now Samford University) (B.A. 1952) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1955, ThM. 1958).
Bob served as a pastor his entire career. Having been ordained in 1952, he served in several leadership capacities and then became the pastor of Centreville Baptist Church, Centreville AL (1958-1961), San Jose Baptist in Jacksonville, FL (1961-1967), Dutch Fork Baptist in Ballentine, SC (1968-1983), Raleigh Avenue Baptist in Birmingham, AL (1983-1987), and First Baptist Birmingham (1987-1996) (Minister to Senior Adults). During these ministries he held many denominational offices. His dedication to his congregations and his unwavering commitment to spreading the love of God touched the lives of countless individuals.
Despite his many accomplishments, Bob remained humble and compassionate, always extending a helping hand to those in need. Bob's zest for life was truly infectious (as was his hearty laugh), and he brought joy to those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Bob is survived by Judy Barnes, his wife of 67 years with whom he shared a love as deep as it was enduring. He’s also survived by sister, Mrs. Patricia Gillespie, son, Robert Bryan Barnes (Janet), daughters, Jennifer M. Johnson and Janet B. Shealy (Warren), and grandchildren, Robert Bryan Barnes, Jr. (Danyelle), Carson Edward Barnes (Emily), Jennifer Elizabeth Barnes, Jacob Johnson and Lily Johnson and great granddaughter, Reagan Barnes. Bob was preceded in death by his father Robert Carson Barnes, Sr., mother, Vivian B. Barnes, and sisters Mrs. Vivien Cummings and Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Cato as well as many nieces and nephews and other members of his extended family.
The family will receive friends Tuesday 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Nov. 14 at Dunbar Funeral Home 7600 Woodrow St. Irmo, SC. His body will be buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, AL after a funeral service Nov. 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Elmwood Chapel.
During his last few years in Columbia, he was a member of First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Columbia to support the work of reaching people for Christ.
Bob’s legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew him. His unwavering, faith, compassion, spirit, and dedication to serving the Lord and others will continue to inspire generations to come.
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