Geneva Mae Barnes

Barnes, Geneva Mae

June 29, 1933 - February 27, 2023

Celebrating the life of Geneva Barrington Barnes, who passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023. Born during the turbulent times of The Great Depression in Peggs, Oklahoma, Geneva, or 'Gennie' as her family and friends knew her, overcame many challenges and struggles growing up in rural northeastern Oklahoma. At 17, Gennie left Oklahoma to pursue new opportunities in the booming urban economy in Washington, DC. After serving in challenging stints as a civil servant for the US Navy Office of Naval Material, Pentagon JAG Office, and Washington Regional Office of the Post Office, Gennie found her calling working for NASA starting in 1962. Gennie's career in Public Affairs at NASA provided a front row seat to the challenges and successes of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs that culminated in landing the first men on the Moon in 1969. The Apollo 11 mission provided Gennie with her most memorable career experience. She was an integral part of the Operation Giant Leap team that planned and traveled the Around the World Presidential Goodwill Tour with the Apollo 11 astronauts, stopping in 29 cities in 24 countries on 6 continents over a period of 38 days. After the Apollo program, Gennie served a brief stint as the public affairs assistant to Neil Armstrong. During the twilight years of her NASA career, Gennie supported numerous Space Shuttle astronauts including Sally Ride and Shannon Lucid. Gennie retired from NASA in 1994. While at NASA, Gennie received the Silver Snoopy Award to recognize outstanding support. After leaving NASA, Gennie was a volunteer in the presidential mail department at the White House from 1994 thru 2002. In retirement, Gennie's real-life joys came through doting on her grandchildren. Singing in the Colesville United Methodist Church gospel choir in Maryland was her greatest spiritual and social outlet. Following the passing of her Mom in 2005, Gennie moved from Silver Spring, MD, to Greensboro, NC, where she lived out her golden years close to her daughter Susan's family. Born in June of 1933, Geneva was the only child to her mother, Viola Barrington. She married John Lockard Barnes (Sr.) while living in Washington, DC. She is survived by her three children: John (Sandy) Barnes of Olney, MD, Susan (Jim) Slagle of Greensboro, NC, and Paul Barnes of Rochester, NY; and her grandchildren: Amanda (Vance) Summerhill, Sean (Jen) Barnes, and Daylon Slagle. Visitation with her family will be held at Hayworth-Miller Funeral home in Kernersville, NC on Saturday, March 4 at 10 a.m. A service will be held immediately afterwards (11 a.m.). She will then travel to Locust Grove, Oklahoma, where there will be another family visitation (at a time to be determined). There will be a graveside service at New Home Cemetery near her childhood home in Peggs, Oklahoma. She will be laid to rest next to her mother, Viola. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or Dementia Society of America. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.