John Henry Barnes

It is with sympathy, the management and staff of Slater's Funeral Home, Inc. announce the passing of Mr. John Henry Barnes, Milledgeville (Beulah Community), Georgia. Mr. Barnes passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 1:00PM from the Chapel of All Faiths, Milledgeville. Interment and Repast will follow in the Stanton Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Sparta GA. 
Mr. John Barnes, known affectionally as “Crocodile Dundee” by his daughter and his youngest brother; and also as “Mr. Fixit” in and around the community.

He was born on July 22, 1958, in Hancock County via Midwife, to the parentage of Rev. Elijah Barnes Sr. and Eva Mae Barnes. He was called to rest on September 10, 2022.

In his early childhood life, he joined Second Beulah Baptist Church. He attended Sunday School faithfully and eventually became their Secretary.

John graduated from Hancock Central High School in 1976 where he was known as “The Baddest Left-Handed Pitcher”, that came out of the school. He also played the trombone in the band, as he lovingly passed his musical inspirations down to his Granddaughter Destiny – which inspired her to play the Saxophone. After High School, he attended Clark College.

Throughout his life, John was approached with opportunities that some could only dream of. For instance, he was scouted and offered to train for a try-out as a Pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. He was also contacted to have one of his Intellectual Properties Patented by the government. This was just one of his many inventions, as throughout his lifetime he developed many more objects that the world would have certainly found beyond useful. This and more could possibly sum it up as to why his mind could be considered that of a “Genius”.

As for his professional career, he was a supervisor at Georgia Power. After leaving Georgia Power, he took on his love for building/creating by going to work with his dad building some of the most elegant and beautiful structures to this day. Being a quick learner, he picked up on craftmanship, carpentry, and electrical work to name a few of the many skills that he conquered. His mind worked as a Strategist and he always had a method/solution for whatever dilemma that came his way. After a period of time, he started his own construction and repair business whereas people called on him up to his last day.

The most peaceful aspect of his life included the outdoors. John had a love for any outdoor activities which included, fishing, hunting, flying kites, gardening, and simply enjoying nature. His culinary skills were astonishing and he honestly caught most of what he ate. Now, his taste for music would definitely surprise you. He would listen to several genres and when asked about it he would simply respond with, “Oh you don’t know nothing about that, as you have to listen to what they are saying”. To have the ability to see the outside world through his lenses would have been an adventure of its own.

His willingness to serve others was something that certainly set him aside from anyone else. There was this pure form of love that he held for everyone, and he didn’t discriminate when it came to it. One memory that we all share is of John telling the entire family that when God called him to do so, he would "be in the Pulpit." We are certain that he’s at the Almightiest Pulpit right now and he’s giving a mighty sermon.

Finally, he absolutely cherished his family. It was no secret that there was no scale to weigh his feelings in which he held for his daughter and granddaughters. Within “His Babies”, is where he left his Legacy. He would often time express how much they meant the world to him, and not only to them but to anyone who would listen. There was this joy that he held in his voice and eyes every time that he spoke to/about his daughter, Eukeethia. He cultivated a very special bond with his granddaughters and ensured that they knew what a grandfather’s love should feel like. They will carry his memories on for a lifetime. As the eldest, his brothers and sisters held a very special place in his heart. He would often be found laughing and recalling his fondest memories of each of them. Each of them had special “Nicknames” that were reserved especially for him to use. His parents received the highest respect from him, as he would check on them daily and just recently named his new/prospering garden after his loving mother, “The Garden of Eden and Eve”. He and his dad will always share a special bond, as they did many things throughout life together and shared very special times. Whenever “Daddy” needed him, he would always make a way to be there. All of his family were definitely at the center of his heart. He left a void that can never be filled and a lifetime of memories for each of us to carry on.

The only appropriate way to leave his lifetime of adventures here, would be to say "Job Well Done King, Take your Rest." 

John leaves to cherish his memories: one daughter, Eukeethia Barnes, of Stonecrest Georgia; two granddaughters, Destiny Jones and Brooke Jones, both of Stonecrest, Georgia; father, Rev. Elijah Barnes Sr.; mother, Eva Mae Barnes both of Milledgeville, Georgia; two brothers, Rev. Elijah (Brenda) Barnes Jr. of Milledgeville, Georgia, Eric (Stacy) Barnes of Snellville, Georgia; adopted brother, Jerome Marshall of Sparta, Georgia; three sisters, Gail (Leonard) Barnes-Kelly of Sparta, Georgia, Juliette Barnes-Dixon of Milledgeville, Georgia, Paula Barnes- Dixon of Sparta, Georgia, one God sister, Khadija Hill, of Washington, D.C.; eight aunts, Gloria Davenport of Devereux, Georgia, Marion Jean Cummings and Annie Barnes of Milledgeville, Georgia, Thelma (Tom) Owens of Phoenixville Pennsylvania, Willie Mae (Kenneth) Reaves, Louise (Bennie) Clark, Shirley Justice and Emma Mae Justice of Sparta, Georgia; one uncle, James (Irene) Barnes of Boston, Massachusetts; one adopted aunt, Alma Brown of Sparta, GA, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and devoted friends.

John’s memory will be cherished by his close friends, Carl Justice, Jerome Davis, Barrett Harper, and Larry “Pete” Robertson.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”- 2 Corinthians 5:8

Due to COVID restrictions the family ask for privacy during the week and that friends join them only at the repast following the services.

Flowers can be delivered to Slater’s Funeral Home, Inc. or if chosen you may contribute to his Granddaughter’s College Trusts by sending funds to Slater's Funeral Home, Inc. in care of his daughter (Eukeethia Barnes). 

The funeral services will be recorded and viewable after via link below.

You may express your condolences in our guestbook. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Henry Barnes, please visit our floral store.