Mary Edna (Searcy) Barnes

1928 - 2023

Mary Edna (Searcy) Barnes entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 16, at the age of 94. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, Gammie, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved fiercely and was the epitome of joy, humor, and optimism. She exuded a positive attitude that drew people to her. Even while ravaged by dementia, she was kind, joyful and navigated her long goodbye with grace and courage. Mary Edna Searcy was born on December 7, 1928, in Alpine, Alabama as the youngest child of Henry T. and Annie Hayes Searcy. Losing her father as an infant, she grew up assisting with farm chores like milking cows and plowing fields. She never found a task she could not conquer. She would go on to graduate from Winterboro High School where she would cheer, hold leadership in clubs, and be considered "The Wittiest". There she would meet the love of her life, Dan Barnes. They met at a Plantersville dance, married in1947 and continued to dance together for 63 years. In 1954 she and Dan moved to Gresham Park in Atlanta, GA where he was a teacher, and she was a dedicated mother to two daughters. Actively working and volunteering in her beloved Gresham Park community, she had the gift of hospitality and worked for Welcome Wagon greeting new homeowners. She was a founding member of the Gresham Park Boating Club, still thriving at Clark Hill Lake. Mary Edna was proficient in anything that she attempted to do from working in a sewing factory during wartime, to leading Life and Casualty Insurance Company in sales as the company's first female salesperson. She was a creative seamstress and kept her two daughters well frocked in one-of-a-kind clothing and gowns that she designed and stitched. Her artistic abilities did not stop at sewing and designing. When she felt the insurance sales role was taking too much time away from her daughters' needs at home, she put her creative skills to work on cake decorating and catering. Mary was an amazing baker and cook and was awarded early on for her infamous Coconut Cake recipe published in the Atlanta Constitution. This was the catalyst to her wedding and all occasion cake decorating venture. She was deemed Grandma Funny-cakes by her grandson's college Lacrosse team. She worked as an attendance secretary for Cedar Grove High School, then retired from the DeKalb County School System and then she and Dan moved back to Talladega. During her lifetime she loved music and singing. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to sing and perform. She sang in the choirs of Hepzibah Baptist, Bethel UMC, and First Baptist in Talladega and Asbury UMC, and Mount Carmel Christian, in Atlanta. In her final years music and song was the integral thread to unlock her memories. She is preceded in death by her husband, Daniel H. Barnes, her parents Henry T. and Annie Hayes Searcy, sisters Sarah Sherrill (Clyde) and Margaret Hall (Milton), brothers Hayes Searcy (Carolyn) and Henry T. Searcy, Jr (Inez). Those she left behind to carry on her legacy of love are her daughters, Sharon (David) Bockmon of Roswell and Dana (Dale) Westhoff of NY, New York. She is also survived by her grandsons, Trey Monroe of Atlanta and Keaton Monroe (Delaney) and great-granddaughter Harper Kaye of Austin TX, granddaughters Ruby and Clio Westhoff of New York, and numerous nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly. A Celebration of Life service will be Thursday, February 23rd at Marietta Funeral Home. 915 Piedmont Road Marietta, GA 30066, 11:00-12:00 visitation, 12:00-1:00 reception/ lunch for family and friends, 1:00-2:00 Celebration Service Graveside Burial service will be 11:00 CST, Friday February 24: Hepzibah Cemetery 5329 W Renfroe Rd. Talladega, Alabama. Although flowers will be accepted, donations to the Alzheimer's Association will be appreciated.