Public memorial service set to celebrate life of Columbus Councilor Jerry ‘Pops’ Barnes
A public memorial service has been scheduled for Columbus Councilor Jerry “Pops” Barnes, who died April 14 at age 80.
The service will start at 3 p.m. April 25 at Revelation Missionary Baptist Church, 203 R.C. Allen Drive, the Columbus Consolidated Government announced Monday.
According to his obituary, a public viewing will be April 24, from 3-5 p.m., at Taylor Funeral Home in Phenix City. The funeral will be private.
Barnes had been battling an illness, city manager Isaiah Hugley told the Ledger-Enqurier. Hugley texted him April 14 to “let him know I was continuing to pray for him,” but he didn’t receive a reply.
After defeating incumbent Nathan Suber in a 2006 runoff, Barnes was the District 1 councilor for 17 years.
Hugley described Barnes as a servant leader who made a major impact on Columbus, especially for disadvantaged citizens.
“He was in touch with every organization that had something to do with low-income people and organizations related to health,” Hugley said. “He walked his district when he was able. I mean, even after he got elected, he literally went door-to-door to check on his constituents, and he set up on Saturdays at place like Walmart for hours so his constituents could stop by and discuss any issues with him.
“He was a grassroots people-person. … He was just a great mean. He will truly be missed, and it will be a challenge for whoever comes behind him to reach that level of service he provided.”
Barnes served 23 months of his current four-year term. The city charter says the council appoints someone to fill the remainder of a councilor’s term if at least a year-and-a-half of that term has been served.
Muscogee County elections director Nancy Boren told the L-E it is too late - at least 90 days are needed - for a District 1 special election to be on the May 21 ballot, when the even-numbered seats on the 10-member council will be up for election. So the person the council appoints to represent District 1 will serve until the May 2026 election.
The L-E didn’t reach Mayor Skip Henderson for comment, but his chief of staff, Josh Beard, sent the following news release on behalf of the mayor:
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Councilor Jerry ‘Pops’ Barnes. Pops . . . always put the needs of his constituents first. He fought hard for funding within his district, receiving over $40 million in infrastructure improvements to include the Natatorium and the City Services Center.
“Pops served 20 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant. During his time on council, he worked closely with Veterans organizations to support their needs, primarily mental health. This is a tremendous loss to our community; we continue to keep the Barnes family in our prayers.”
This story was originally published April 15, 2024 at 10:55 AM.
