Wendell Wright Barnes

Wendell Wright Barnes, age 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, March 15, 2015. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18th, 2015 at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Tommy Mason officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. at the church. A private burial will follow the service.

Wendell was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 4, 1926, the son of George William Barnes and Sadie Burns Barnes, but lived in Macon most of his life. Encouraged by his father, who was an avid golfer, his love of golf began at age 10. He was an acclaimed amateur golf champion, winning many local and area tournaments, including the 1951 Peach Blossom at the Idle Hour Club in a playoff against Frank Mulherin of Augusta. His close friend, Gardner Dickinson who played on the PGA Tour shared with Wendell his great experiences in teaching and competitive golf. Wendell’s love of the game is known by many students, amateurs, and juniors. Most who really knew him well called him “Pro”. He graduated from Lanier High School for Boys in 1944 where he was a member and Captain of the varsity golf team from 1941 – 1944. Upon graduation, he joined the U. S. Navy, serving our country aboard ship during World War II in the Pacific. Elizabeth Johnson Barnes became his loving wife of 65 years on August 16th, 1949. He was retired from The Equitable Life Insurance Company. Wendell was a member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, the Idle Hour Club, Macon Exchange Club, The Middle Georgia Seniors and Dixie Seniors Golf Associations. He was a proud husband, father of four children, grandfather of seven children and great grandfather of five children. His love of God and family will live in our hearts forever.

He is survived by his loving wife, Betty; his son, Wendell Wright Barnes, Jr. (Reba) of Rome, GA; his daughter, Leesa Barnes Woodall (Lee) of Barnesville, GA; his daughter, Sue Anne Morris of Macon, GA; and his son, James Yates Barnes (Valerie) of Acworth, GA. He adored his grandchildren, Wendell Wright Barnes, III (Jessica) of Atlanta; William Wright Woodall (Lane) of Barnesville, GA; Elizabeth Woodall Richards (Dave) of Acworth, GA; James Talmadge Woodall of Eatonton, GA; Ansley Morris Waddell (Clay) of Macon, GA; Thomas Andrew Morris of Atlanta, GA; Samuel William Barnes of Acworth, GA; and his great grandchildren, Hatch, Scout and Levi Woodall, Kate and Ezra Richards, Hannah and Hayes Waddell; and many nieces and nephews. Wendell cherished his family and friends and left an indelible memory to those of us who knew him of the importance of love of family and service to others.

The family wishes to express their thanks to Pine Pointe Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care for their comfort and care during Wendell’s illness. Their caregivers, Lorene Davis, Charles Watts, Frances Little, Franchetta Varner and Faye Tripp attended to his daily needs with amazing love and tenderness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, Macon Outreach, or Pine Pointe Hospice.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Services, Cherry Street has charge of arrangements.