COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - The celebration of life ceremony at Revelation Missionary Baptist Church was filled with laughter, songs and great memories of Jerry ‘Pops’ Barnes’ love and service to all.
The works truly spoke for Jerry ‘Pops’ Barnes...the late Army veteran, district one Columbus city councilor, nurse...advocate for seniors, youth, and fellow vets.
Pops passed away April 14 in Atlanta, Georgia. Thursday, several shared fond memories of Pops and his eagerness to help everyone.
“There was nothing, never too big or nothing too small that he wouldn’t be able to do for us or others,” said Gwendolyn McIntosh, President of Columbus GA Metro Black Nurses Association.
Many agreed with former Georgia state representative Calvin Smyre during the ceremony who said Pops always made sure to let you know his opinion. Smyre shared a story about the Fountain City Classic Parade falling on the same day as the Columbus Veterans Day Parade...a parade Pops revived back in 2010.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He [Pops] said brother Smyre the Fountain City Classic Parade is the same day as the Veterans Day Parade. What are we going to do? I said, I’m going to cancel it,” said Smyre.
“I don’t know if you realized this, but we’re also related. I always called him my favorite uncle and he called me his favorite nephew,” said Dr. Jonathan Liss with the Columbus Memory Center to Pops’ family. “Everyday that I will think of Pops, and it will be everyday, it will be vibrancy because he was that battery that never stopped, the battery that could, with the heart that you guys spoken to that always would.”
“All he would have to do is see you one time, and he would always make himself available to you,” said Mark Lawrence, veteran and pastor of Mt. Oliva Baptist Church in Fortson.
I am always told by others, “Pops Barnes, you do so much for people.” My reply is always the same: “I’m just trying to be 1/10th of the person my grandmother was.” I’m still chasing my grandmother, but I know that I will never catch her.”
— Jerry "Pops" Barnes as he was honored as the Distinguished Older Georgian by the Georgia Council on Aging in 2020
Pops leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Jannie; eight children, 13 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren. His family wants to continue his legacy.
“We are going to continue on the manner in which he worked, we his kids are going to continue on in the manner in which he loved, and we his kids are going to continue on in the manner in which lived. We are not only going to accomplish what he accomplished, by transcending the notion that we are helping, but we are going to walk daily in our family legacy of having a servant heart,” said Simi Barnes, Pop’s daughter.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Pop Barnes did not cheat himself, he gave so others could get better. With that I thank God...Job well done faithful servant, job well done,” said Rep. Smyre.
Pops’ passion for health care inspired him to pursue a nursing degree at 57. Loved ones shared Thursday he was enrolled to get his Masters in Nursing from Columbus State University at 80 years old.
LIST OF HONORS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2016 Family Caregiver Award
2018 Living Legends Award
2019 United States Postal Service Purple Heart Award
2020 Distinguished Older Georgian Award
2021 New Horizons Behavioral Health Impact Award
2023 Columbus State University (CSU) Legacy Award
2023 Columbus State University Alumni Award
2023 River Valley Regional Commission Council Chairman Appreciation Award
Copyright 2024 WTVM. All rights reserved.