Gussie Mae Barnes

Gussie Mae Barnes, 73, of Chattahoochee died Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at the Tallahassee Memorial Health Care in Tallahassee.

She was born Sept. 6, 1934, in Jackson County, the daughter of the late Bertha Lucinda Webb Batson and Charlie B. Bateson.

She attended the public schools of Jackson County, lived and worked in St. Petersburg for several years, relocated to Cypress and then to Chattahoochee. She married Abraham "Sam" Barnes on June 25, 1966, in Donalsonville, Ga., and they were very proud parents and grandparents of several children they raised.

She was employed until retirement as a unit treatment rehabilitation specialist for Florida State Hospital. She was a devoted and faithful member of the Elizabeth AME Church, where she was a stewardess, class leader, president of the ushers board, Sunday school superintendent and teacher. She was a member and officer of the Women's Missionary Society and member of the Caring Sharing Club of Chattahoochee.

The funeral service will be conducted Saturday, March 8, 11 a.m. EST, at the Greater Bethel M.B. Church, Chattahoochee, the Rev. Clarence Jackson II, pastor, and the Rev. Gloria Long officiating.

Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Cypress.

Visitation will be Friday, March 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Elizabeth AME Church.

Madry Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by daughters, Sonja E. O'Reilly (Frederick) of Chattahoochee, and Gail D. Bruce (Bobby) of Palm Harbor; a son, Lt. Sandy D. Jackson (Cpt. Valderine) of Glennville, Ga.; step-daughter, Shakelia Barnes of Chattahoochee; sister, Jessie M. Wilson (Tommie) of Washington, D.C.; brothers, Jerome "Jack" Batson (Farrell) of Las Vegas, Nev., and Thomas J. Batson of Los Angeles, Calif.; goddaughter, Nekia Y. Germany of Chattahoochee; sisters-in-law, Lillian Batson of St. Petersburg and Willie Mae Barnes and Tina Barnes Norris of Gainesville; mother-in-law, Gertrude Barnes of Gainesville; former in-laws, Willie Mae Timpson and Idell and Marie Jackson of St. Petersburg; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.