Autumn "Sissy" Barnes
Augusta – Entered into rest Saturday, April 10, 2010 at University Hospital, Mrs. Autumn "Sissy" M. Barnes, of Augusta. Family members include her husband Gerald Barnes, daughters Amelia and Mary Ashlyn, and son David, all of Augusta. She is also survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William "Billy" M. Mitchell Sr. of Augusta.
Other surviving family members include her four brothers and their families. They are William "Bill" Mitchell Jr., sister-in-law: Janis Mitchell and their daughter Mary Beth; Craig S. Mitchell, wife Lisa, and their children Madeline and Maxwell, all of Augusta; Kevin M. Mitchell, wife Kelly, and their children Jenny, Chelsea, and Maddie, all of Lilburn; and Brian R. Mitchell, wife Shawn, and their children Tyler and Connor, of Richmond Hill.
Sissy is also survived by sisters-in-law: Peggy Barnes and Linda Bell; niece: Stephanie Sealey, husband Andy, and their children Savannah Grace and Peyton, of Evans; nephew: Richard Bell of Avera, Ga.
Sissy's beloved caretaker for four years was Ms. Diane Davis of North Augusta, SC.
Sissy, a graduate of Westside High School, was a native and lifelong resident of Augusta. She received a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Augusta State University and a Master's degree in Education from Cambridge College. Sissy's exceptional teaching career began at Aldersgate United Methodist Church Preschool, where she taught for four years, and culminated at Garrett Elementary School, where she taught kindergarten for ten years. Sissy was a member of St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church, and was a loyal and devoted Patriot fan her entire life.
Sissy was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. Her joyful smile and loving spirit touched all of those around her.
The funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Gerald Ragan celebrant and Rev. Hal Hodgens officiating. Burial will be at Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Richard Bell, Chip Fulmer, Doug Holland, Bill Sherman, Tim Spivey, Mark Turner, Maxwell Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell, and Connor Mitchell.
Memorials may be made to: Walton Foundation for Independence, 1355 Independence Dr. Augusta, GA. 30901
The family will receive friends Monday evening, April 12, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 at
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors: 214 Davis Rd. Augusta, Ga. 30907
'No. 1 coach's wife' Sissy Barnes dies
The beauty-pageant contestants glided across stage on the television, and one in particular caught Billy Mitchell's eye. Her name was Autumn.
It was then Billy decided what to name his only daughter, but few people would come to know Autumn Mitchell Barnes by her given name. Most folks knew her by her nickname, Sissy, a perfect fit for someone who was the lone sister to four sports-loving boys.
Even more people came to know Sissy as the wife of one of the area's best high school coaches, Westside's Gerald Barnes. Sissy Barnes, herself a teacher with two college degrees, thrived in this role. She hollered at umpires and referees, delivered food to her husband's players and was sometimes so nervous during games she would yank up grass from the ground around the area where she was sitting.
Slowed and weakened for nearly five years by a stroke after doctors removed a benign brain tumor, Barnes died late Saturday night at the age of 52. A funeral Mass is today at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church.
"She's just been a special person," Gerald Barnes said Monday at his wife's visitation, which started early and ran late because of the number of people who clustered in a line that wound around the funeral home. Every parking spot was filled shortly after 6 p.m., and some people waited more than 90 minutes to speak with the family.
"She was the No. 1 coach's wife -- she loved all the kids as if they were her own," said Uzoma Egekeze. Barnes helped her son, Obi, obtain a football scholarship to the University of Maryland.
Gerald Barnes, a successful football and baseball coach at Westside who has won more baseball games than any man in Georgia's history, often would charge straight from coaching to visit his wife, who was watched during the day by caretaker Diane Davis. He usually greeted her with the same message: "Hey, girlfriend; you're so beautiful."
When Sissy wasn't in the hospital, Gerald would wheel her hospital bed into their room at home and jump awake at the tiniest of sounds.
"I've never seen a man do more for anybody," said Linda Belle, Gerald Barnes' sister. " ... Nobody could watch her like Gerald watched her."
Augusta – Entered into rest Saturday, April 10, 2010 at University Hospital, Mrs. Autumn "Sissy" M. Barnes, of Augusta. Family members include her husband Gerald Barnes, daughters Amelia and Mary Ashlyn, and son David, all of Augusta. She is also survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William "Billy" M. Mitchell Sr. of Augusta.
Other surviving family members include her four brothers and their families. They are William "Bill" Mitchell Jr., sister-in-law: Janis Mitchell and their daughter Mary Beth; Craig S. Mitchell, wife Lisa, and their children Madeline and Maxwell, all of Augusta; Kevin M. Mitchell, wife Kelly, and their children Jenny, Chelsea, and Maddie, all of Lilburn; and Brian R. Mitchell, wife Shawn, and their children Tyler and Connor, of Richmond Hill.
Sissy is also survived by sisters-in-law: Peggy Barnes and Linda Bell; niece: Stephanie Sealey, husband Andy, and their children Savannah Grace and Peyton, of Evans; nephew: Richard Bell of Avera, Ga.
Sissy's beloved caretaker for four years was Ms. Diane Davis of North Augusta, SC.
Sissy, a graduate of Westside High School, was a native and lifelong resident of Augusta. She received a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Augusta State University and a Master's degree in Education from Cambridge College. Sissy's exceptional teaching career began at Aldersgate United Methodist Church Preschool, where she taught for four years, and culminated at Garrett Elementary School, where she taught kindergarten for ten years. Sissy was a member of St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church, and was a loyal and devoted Patriot fan her entire life.
Sissy was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. Her joyful smile and loving spirit touched all of those around her.
The funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Gerald Ragan celebrant and Rev. Hal Hodgens officiating. Burial will be at Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Richard Bell, Chip Fulmer, Doug Holland, Bill Sherman, Tim Spivey, Mark Turner, Maxwell Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell, and Connor Mitchell.
Memorials may be made to: Walton Foundation for Independence, 1355 Independence Dr. Augusta, GA. 30901
The family will receive friends Monday evening, April 12, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 at
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors: 214 Davis Rd. Augusta, Ga. 30907
'No. 1 coach's wife' Sissy Barnes dies
The beauty-pageant contestants glided across stage on the television, and one in particular caught Billy Mitchell's eye. Her name was Autumn.
It was then Billy decided what to name his only daughter, but few people would come to know Autumn Mitchell Barnes by her given name. Most folks knew her by her nickname, Sissy, a perfect fit for someone who was the lone sister to four sports-loving boys.
Even more people came to know Sissy as the wife of one of the area's best high school coaches, Westside's Gerald Barnes. Sissy Barnes, herself a teacher with two college degrees, thrived in this role. She hollered at umpires and referees, delivered food to her husband's players and was sometimes so nervous during games she would yank up grass from the ground around the area where she was sitting.
Slowed and weakened for nearly five years by a stroke after doctors removed a benign brain tumor, Barnes died late Saturday night at the age of 52. A funeral Mass is today at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church.
"She's just been a special person," Gerald Barnes said Monday at his wife's visitation, which started early and ran late because of the number of people who clustered in a line that wound around the funeral home. Every parking spot was filled shortly after 6 p.m., and some people waited more than 90 minutes to speak with the family.
"She was the No. 1 coach's wife -- she loved all the kids as if they were her own," said Uzoma Egekeze. Barnes helped her son, Obi, obtain a football scholarship to the University of Maryland.
Gerald Barnes, a successful football and baseball coach at Westside who has won more baseball games than any man in Georgia's history, often would charge straight from coaching to visit his wife, who was watched during the day by caretaker Diane Davis. He usually greeted her with the same message: "Hey, girlfriend; you're so beautiful."
When Sissy wasn't in the hospital, Gerald would wheel her hospital bed into their room at home and jump awake at the tiniest of sounds.
"I've never seen a man do more for anybody," said Linda Belle, Gerald Barnes' sister. " ... Nobody could watch her like Gerald watched her."
Autumn "Sissy" Barnes
Augusta – Entered into rest Saturday, April 10, 2010 at University Hospital, Mrs. Autumn "Sissy" M. Barnes, of Augusta. Family members include her husband Gerald Barnes, daughters Amelia and Mary Ashlyn, and son David, all of Augusta. She is also survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William "Billy" M. Mitchell Sr. of Augusta.
Other surviving family members include her four brothers and their families. They are William "Bill" Mitchell Jr., sister-in-law: Janis Mitchell and their daughter Mary Beth; Craig S. Mitchell, wife Lisa, and their children Madeline and Maxwell, all of Augusta; Kevin M. Mitchell, wife Kelly, and their children Jenny, Chelsea, and Maddie, all of Lilburn; and Brian R. Mitchell, wife Shawn, and their children Tyler and Connor, of Richmond Hill.
Sissy is also survived by sisters-in-law: Peggy Barnes and Linda Bell; niece: Stephanie Sealey, husband Andy, and their children Savannah Grace and Peyton, of Evans; nephew: Richard Bell of Avera, Ga.
Sissy's beloved caretaker for four years was Ms. Diane Davis of North Augusta, SC.
Sissy, a graduate of Westside High School, was a native and lifelong resident of Augusta. She received a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Augusta State University and a Master's degree in Education from Cambridge College. Sissy's exceptional teaching career began at Aldersgate United Methodist Church Preschool, where she taught for four years, and culminated at Garrett Elementary School, where she taught kindergarten for ten years. Sissy was a member of St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church, and was a loyal and devoted Patriot fan her entire life.
Sissy was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. Her joyful smile and loving spirit touched all of those around her.
The funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Gerald Ragan celebrant and Rev. Hal Hodgens officiating. Burial will be at Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Richard Bell, Chip Fulmer, Doug Holland, Bill Sherman, Tim Spivey, Mark Turner, Maxwell Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell, and Connor Mitchell.
Memorials may be made to: Walton Foundation for Independence, 1355 Independence Dr. Augusta, GA. 30901
The family will receive friends Monday evening, April 12, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 at
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors: 214 Davis Rd. Augusta, Ga. 30907
'No. 1 coach's wife' Sissy Barnes dies
The beauty-pageant contestants glided across stage on the television, and one in particular caught Billy Mitchell's eye. Her name was Autumn.
It was then Billy decided what to name his only daughter, but few people would come to know Autumn Mitchell Barnes by her given name. Most folks knew her by her nickname, Sissy, a perfect fit for someone who was the lone sister to four sports-loving boys.
Even more people came to know Sissy as the wife of one of the area's best high school coaches, Westside's Gerald Barnes. Sissy Barnes, herself a teacher with two college degrees, thrived in this role. She hollered at umpires and referees, delivered food to her husband's players and was sometimes so nervous during games she would yank up grass from the ground around the area where she was sitting.
Slowed and weakened for nearly five years by a stroke after doctors removed a benign brain tumor, Barnes died late Saturday night at the age of 52. A funeral Mass is today at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church.
"She's just been a special person," Gerald Barnes said Monday at his wife's visitation, which started early and ran late because of the number of people who clustered in a line that wound around the funeral home. Every parking spot was filled shortly after 6 p.m., and some people waited more than 90 minutes to speak with the family.
"She was the No. 1 coach's wife -- she loved all the kids as if they were her own," said Uzoma Egekeze. Barnes helped her son, Obi, obtain a football scholarship to the University of Maryland.
Gerald Barnes, a successful football and baseball coach at Westside who has won more baseball games than any man in Georgia's history, often would charge straight from coaching to visit his wife, who was watched during the day by caretaker Diane Davis. He usually greeted her with the same message: "Hey, girlfriend; you're so beautiful."
When Sissy wasn't in the hospital, Gerald would wheel her hospital bed into their room at home and jump awake at the tiniest of sounds.
"I've never seen a man do more for anybody," said Linda Belle, Gerald Barnes' sister. " ... Nobody could watch her like Gerald watched her."
Augusta – Entered into rest Saturday, April 10, 2010 at University Hospital, Mrs. Autumn "Sissy" M. Barnes, of Augusta. Family members include her husband Gerald Barnes, daughters Amelia and Mary Ashlyn, and son David, all of Augusta. She is also survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William "Billy" M. Mitchell Sr. of Augusta.
Other surviving family members include her four brothers and their families. They are William "Bill" Mitchell Jr., sister-in-law: Janis Mitchell and their daughter Mary Beth; Craig S. Mitchell, wife Lisa, and their children Madeline and Maxwell, all of Augusta; Kevin M. Mitchell, wife Kelly, and their children Jenny, Chelsea, and Maddie, all of Lilburn; and Brian R. Mitchell, wife Shawn, and their children Tyler and Connor, of Richmond Hill.
Sissy is also survived by sisters-in-law: Peggy Barnes and Linda Bell; niece: Stephanie Sealey, husband Andy, and their children Savannah Grace and Peyton, of Evans; nephew: Richard Bell of Avera, Ga.
Sissy's beloved caretaker for four years was Ms. Diane Davis of North Augusta, SC.
Sissy, a graduate of Westside High School, was a native and lifelong resident of Augusta. She received a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Augusta State University and a Master's degree in Education from Cambridge College. Sissy's exceptional teaching career began at Aldersgate United Methodist Church Preschool, where she taught for four years, and culminated at Garrett Elementary School, where she taught kindergarten for ten years. Sissy was a member of St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church, and was a loyal and devoted Patriot fan her entire life.
Sissy was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. Her joyful smile and loving spirit touched all of those around her.
The funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Gerald Ragan celebrant and Rev. Hal Hodgens officiating. Burial will be at Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Richard Bell, Chip Fulmer, Doug Holland, Bill Sherman, Tim Spivey, Mark Turner, Maxwell Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell, and Connor Mitchell.
Memorials may be made to: Walton Foundation for Independence, 1355 Independence Dr. Augusta, GA. 30901
The family will receive friends Monday evening, April 12, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 at
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors: 214 Davis Rd. Augusta, Ga. 30907
'No. 1 coach's wife' Sissy Barnes dies
The beauty-pageant contestants glided across stage on the television, and one in particular caught Billy Mitchell's eye. Her name was Autumn.
It was then Billy decided what to name his only daughter, but few people would come to know Autumn Mitchell Barnes by her given name. Most folks knew her by her nickname, Sissy, a perfect fit for someone who was the lone sister to four sports-loving boys.
Even more people came to know Sissy as the wife of one of the area's best high school coaches, Westside's Gerald Barnes. Sissy Barnes, herself a teacher with two college degrees, thrived in this role. She hollered at umpires and referees, delivered food to her husband's players and was sometimes so nervous during games she would yank up grass from the ground around the area where she was sitting.
Slowed and weakened for nearly five years by a stroke after doctors removed a benign brain tumor, Barnes died late Saturday night at the age of 52. A funeral Mass is today at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church.
"She's just been a special person," Gerald Barnes said Monday at his wife's visitation, which started early and ran late because of the number of people who clustered in a line that wound around the funeral home. Every parking spot was filled shortly after 6 p.m., and some people waited more than 90 minutes to speak with the family.
"She was the No. 1 coach's wife -- she loved all the kids as if they were her own," said Uzoma Egekeze. Barnes helped her son, Obi, obtain a football scholarship to the University of Maryland.
Gerald Barnes, a successful football and baseball coach at Westside who has won more baseball games than any man in Georgia's history, often would charge straight from coaching to visit his wife, who was watched during the day by caretaker Diane Davis. He usually greeted her with the same message: "Hey, girlfriend; you're so beautiful."
When Sissy wasn't in the hospital, Gerald would wheel her hospital bed into their room at home and jump awake at the tiniest of sounds.
"I've never seen a man do more for anybody," said Linda Belle, Gerald Barnes' sister. " ... Nobody could watch her like Gerald watched her."
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