Mr. Clairmont Jerome “Pops” Barnes of Columbus, GA passed Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Public viewing will be Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 3 - 5 p.m. EST at Taylor Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL.
Jerry “Pops” Barnes was born on June 10, 1943, to the late Pauline White and Eugene Barnes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The second oldest of five. “Pops” was raised by his grandmother, Ms. Mary J. White. Pops often expressed how his relationship with his grandmother significantly shaped his worldview and implanted the seeds of justice, compassion, and determination, all of which would become the hallmarks of his life.
Pops took his first step towards a life of service when he joined the Army National Guard and later enlisted into the US Army in 1977. A natural leader, Pops quickly rose through the ranks and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1996.
After retiring from the military, Pops decided to obtain his second bachelor’s degree. With compassion and determination leading the way, Pops obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Columbus State University at the ripe young age of 57!
In 2003, he started the Pan Columbus Wellness Project, a community service initiative to provide free health education, screening, and case management.
In 2004, with a heart that yearned for justice, Pops heeded the call to run for city council. With determination in his heart, Pops knocked on every door in his district, clinching the win to become the city councilor for District One.
As a Councilor, he reopened the Boxwood, Belvedere Park, and Primus Recreation centers for youth, spearheaded the charge to hire 100 additional police officers to dramatically cut the city's crime rate, and opened a precinct in the heart of District 1.
Pops had a steadfast passion for working with Veterans and Seniors. He restarted the Veterans Day Parade in 2010. In addition to his love for Veterans, he advocated tirelessly for individuals living with mental illness. His passion for seniors led him to start a senior advocacy group that focused on helping seniors keep their benefits. Since 2014, he periodically hosted the Focus on Health series from the studios of CCG-TV to provide health/wellness education and awareness information to all citizens in the tri-county viewing area.
He also launched a youth vocational training program entitled “Opportunity to Get Ahead” using his own campaign funds, reformed the city’s policy to allow the hiring of non-violent offenders, and consistently addressed right-of-way upkeep, drainage, street resurfacing, and pothole issues throughout the district on behalf of residents.
Since 2020, Pops has co-hosted the Health and Community Tips series for the week every Monday on Facebook Live. He regularly invited special guests to the show to provide valuable and practical information to not only Columbus, Georgia, and Phenix City, Alabama, but to a multitude of Facebook users everywhere.
Known as the hardest-working elected official, Pop's accomplishments will stand the test of time, but despite his accomplishments, his greatest accomplishment was being a proud husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Pops leaves behind his wife of 31 years Jannie Mae Barnes; eight children, Cheryl, Clairmont (Colleen), Simi, Mary (Kennan), Robbi, Carla (Jeff), Phydellis(Veronica), and Bruce; thirteen grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren.
He went to eternal rest in Atlanta, GA, on April 14, 2024. He was preceded in death by his sister, Pauline “Sweetie” Campbell, and brother, Paul Barnes.
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
DaTasha Trimble sent Peace & Serenity Dishgarden for Jerry Barnes - April 24, 2024
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of sorrow. May God grant you peace that surpasses understanding. Love David& Maurine, DaTasha& Andreas and DaMarcus & Patricia.
Sacred Garden Spray was sent for Jerry Barnes - April 23, 2024
Genia Webb sent Lily and Rose Tribute Spray for Jerry Barnes - April 23, 2024
Love you Always Pops! God bless your wife and family you will be missed! Genia Webb
Melody Wells sent Red and White Handled Basket for Jerry Barnes - April 23, 2024
Love you Cousin Brother which we affectionately called you. I will miss our many talks about getting the family together. The many questions I could ask. Take your well deserved rest in paradise.
Todd Burnett sent America the Beautiful for Jerry Barnes - April 23, 2024
With gratitude for a life well lived and loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. From - The Veterans Health Administration Program Office Team.
America the Beautiful was sent for Jerry Barnes - April 22, 2024
Katherine Evans sent Everlasting Memory Standing Spray for Jerry Barnes - April 18, 2024
In loving memory of Pops Barnes, his leadership and kindness will forever inspire us. With heartfelt condolences and gratitude. CSU Alumni Association Board of Directors
Jessica Lord planted 5 trees in memory of Jerry Barnes . - April 24, 2024
Rest in the arms of the Lord. Prayers and condolences to the Barnes family. He will truly be missed. The Washingtons
Sending prayers of comfort to the Barnes Family. Words con not express the way that I feel right now. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't heal. Isaiah 35:10 He will be missed. Just remembering our road from Philly to Tennesse in Jr (his little white car-Who shot Jr). We laughed so hard but had a lot of fun. Brother and Sis keep the memories and find comfort in them. Love Brenski
Our Condolences and Prayers To The Barnes Family. Robert and Jackie Covington
It is our Prayer that The Family will continue to find Comfort in Knowing that The Almighty Power is Still in Charge. Willie/Gloria Brown, The Lindsay Creek Area Civic Association.
On behalf of CCSC (formerly the Combined Communities of Southeast Columbus) I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Jerry "Pops" Barnes. He was a close friend and supporter of Lonnie Jackson and CCSC will always remember him for promoting the MLK cleanup drives, programs for the veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park, the Saturday and Summer Tutorial Programs, forums, voters registration and other activities that had a huge impact on the community. You were always there for us and we love you. Rest in the arms of the Lord. Ccsc Co-chair
Pops was a fixture of the community and so helpful to me personally. I will miss him dearly and send my deepest condolences to the Barnes family.
To the family of Jerry "POPS" Barnes our condolence goes out great deeply will keep you all in our prayer dedicate the song "REALLY GONNA 🙏🏿 😢 MISS YOU" 😢 🙏🏿BY Smokey Robinson may God continue to lift you up and remember he may be gone but he will always be in your heart right beside you RIP🙏🏿Vanessa Knowles Wright & family
Prayers and condolences to the Barnes Family. Jenovis Obleton
Jerry as I've always called you. Thank you for your service and dedication to this community you accomplished so much. I remember when you worked with me @ St Francis and from there getting your degree in Nursing and the many lives you have touched will never be forgotten. Rest though good and faithful servant. Job well done. Gone but will never be forgotten. Zandra Morrow.
To Ms. Thomas and Family, I am so happy to know that Pop Barnes served his country and his community with distinction. I came down here, and the first time I was eligible to vote I voted for Pop Barnes for Councilman. He was getting things done. He is going to missed by his fellow Vets and the community that he served. Thank you for your service! May THE MOST HIGH GOD CREATOR of all hold you up as you travel on this journey. Jessica Lord and Family
Ms. Thomas and Family, I came down here 14yrs ago. The first Representative I heard of was Pop Barnes. I read up on him being a fellow veteran and a man who got things done, and I voted for him to be our Councilman every time. I am so thankful to have met Ms.Carla at the same time. Thank you for your service
I'm going to miss ur infectious laughter and smile
You will be forever missed
Pops was a dear friend of mine. Pops was one of a kind. He was a true and genuine Husband, father, and leader. Pops have impacted my life so many ways. One choosing me to be a commissioner with Keep Columbus Beautiful. Then when my son ran into the back of pops car and then the pops we all know took him under his wings and mentor him and had him serving on his team. He was always supportive with my entire family. I'm gonna miss my buddy. Rest In Heaven Pops🫶🏼 Love the Barnes Family especially Moma Barnes!!! Charlotte
Thank you Pops for being that beacon of light that so many of us need and don't have enough of from some of our human counterparts. You are a True Humanitarian. You will truly be missed but no doubt your legacy will live on. God speed Pops , rest well in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Our heartfelt prayers & deepest condolences are for Mrs. Barnes and Family of The late brother,Jerry "Pop" Barnes. Farewell to a beloved kind, good, and faithful servant. He will be truly missed.
The Crawford
My deepest condolences to Mae and the family. We were together in Nurnberg Germany in the early nineties. RIP MSG!
Rodney Deese
My deepest condolences to the Barnes family. Pop will be missed always there for the community.. James Johnson
My condolences for the family to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Sending prayers upnwe know you loved him but God loved him more
On behalf of the Gregory Family, I would like to extend our thoughts, prayers, and love to you during your grief. After recently losing my beloved mother, I understand what you must be experiencing and my heart is hurting for you. As believers, we know that God is in control. I pray that you find comfort and strength in Him and the continuous outpouring of love you receive from all the thousands of people whose lives he touched. The legacy he so lovingly left based on the life your father led while on this earth, will continue to serve as a model for all of us to follow. Pops, you will continue to live on in each of us and we pledge to make you proud! Much love and continued prayers to you and yours.
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
My condolences and prayers goes out to the Barnes family. Thank you for all that you have done for the City of Columbus GA. You will truly be missed. Michael Cox/Funeral Director/Elmwood Chapel/Birmingham AL.
Pop Barnes will be truly missed,He was an inspiration on helping with the Veterans of Columbus, I enjoyed working along side of him,He was awesome
My sincere condolences to the Barnes Family. Thank you for sharing Pops with us. I will treasure our friendship and mentoring. I have many memories that I will cherish. We spent many months in 2003 preparingfor 2004, as we embarked on the political trail to get him in office. We knew once he was there, the rest was history. The many talks and good eating from Mrs. Mae will never be forgotten. SIP Pops!
My sincere condolences to the Barnes Family. Thank you for sharing Pops with us. I have many memories that I will cherish. It was a pleasure to meet him and the family. Who knew our paths would not only cross, but mend into a friendship for life while on the beginning on the campaign trail while being his "Boss". I will treasure the mentoring, political strategies and talks at the table with good cooking from Mrs. Mae. May your hearts be comforted with peace and love. KuWonna Ingram & Family
My condolences to your family rest on my Philly Homebody
My condolences to your family my Philly Homeboy rip
Sending healing prayers and comfort hugs. I am saddened to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family. May God Bless. Rene Grimes MACH nurse.
Farewell Jerry, thank you! Condolences to his family. -Leonard
Sending heartfelt prayers and condolences to the Barnes family. I had the honor and privilege of working with Mr. Barnes as a Registered Nurse at Columbus Regional Health (Piedmont). I will always remember his grace, work ethic, professionalism and the care and concern he provided to his patients and his genuine love for people. I feel truly blessed to have known him. Frances Bellamy Phillips, Retired Nurse
My deepest condolences to the Barnes Family.
To the family of my friend "POP" Barnes my deepest condolences. A real friend that loved all and worked for all. You will be missed.
Pops, our Nurse Practitioner group (UAPRN of West Ga) has never met a champion that assisted us with our goals and legislative efforts like you. You will always be remembered by us and we miss you!!
I will miss you papa, thank you for everything and all the memories we had shared. I will never forget you love you forever your granddaughter Jazmine
Sending prayers to the Barnes family. He was a true leader and wanted to help his fellow man. His influence will be missed
He was one of a kind. He always had a smile on his face and his laugh was infectious. He would give you the shirt off his back no questions asked. Columbus was a better place with him here. He worked hard for us and our city. We love you Pops. Praying for his family!! - Nikki Sweatt
Pops was truly one of a kind. There is nothing he wouldn't do to help anyone. He will be greatly missed. Praying for his beautiful wife and family.
Pops Barnes was one of.. if not THE hardest working Councilors Columbus GA has ever had! He knew his community, and worked hard for it.. Didn't always agree with him, but I sure respected him! Rest in peace, good and faithful servant! Hal Kirven
Pop and family, We the Columbus Georgia Black Nurses will deeply miss you. Your sincere care and support was outstanding!!! A community activist. Health care provider.
Pops was our family. We both are going to miss him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mae and family. Deepali and Ravindra Agarwal 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Prayers for all of you. Pops was a great man. I enjoyed getting to know him as he served on our Alliant Health Solutions Beneficiary and Family Advisory Council. His input was so invaluable. Melody Brown
My condolences to the family. I am so thankful for having had the opportunity to be in Pops' presence and witness firsthand a true servant of the people. As an elected official, it is my hope to reflect the same love for people as did Pops. Mayor Kevin T. Brown
All I can say is "thank you, my Friend for the guidance, Mentorship but most importantly the Friendship". Your spirit will live on through me. Praying for your Family and Friends. Marvin Broadwater, Sr.
Prayers and Condolences to the Barnes Family. We will miss you Mr. Pop Barnes, a gentleman with a heart of gold. The Paschal Family.
I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Mr.Barnes he was truly committed to the community my God continue to bless each and everyone that knew him and give you all the peace and comfort that you all need during this hard and difficult time
Sherrie Hunter
I wish to extend deepest sympathy and prayers to the family and loved ones of Jerry "Pop" Barnes. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."- Psalm 91:1 Jeanette Marshall
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
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