Alice Turner Barkwell

1946 - 2024

Alice Turner Barkwell

March 31, 1946 - September 11, 2024

Columbus, Georgia - Alice Turner Barkwell passed away peacefully on September 11, 2024. Alice was vivacious until recent months, when a series of strokes robbed her of her quality of life and then took her at the too-early age of 78. Alice leaves behind three loving sons, George Webb (of Seattle with wife Anna), Adam Webb (of Atlanta with wife Lisa), and Eric Barkwell (of Columbus, Georgia), and eight grandchildren, Sam, Ari, Christian, and Cally in Seattle and Sam, Kate, Peter, and Sophia in Atlanta. Alice was an incredible mother and grandmother to them all.

Alice was adopted in LaGrange, Georgia in 1946. Her parents, Sam and Elsie Turner (both deceased), doted on their only child. Alice was a top student at LaGrange High School and then attended Tulane and Emory, graduating with honors in 1968. Alice married and moved to Lexington, Kentucky where she had George and Adam. They moved to Chicago for several years but, after a divorce, Alice returned to her hometown of LaGrange. Alice remarried and moved to Columbus where Eric was born in 1981. Alice worked as a teacher at several schools in the 1980s and 90s, including Tri-County High School, Woodland Christian, St. Anne's, and St. Patrick's.

Alice was passionate about politics, music, and animals. She worked for the Carter campaign in 1976 and all Democratic campaigns for local, state, and federal office since then. She served on the Board of Governors for the Georgia Democratic Party and attended several Democratic National Conventions.

Alice loved music and brought music to the people of Columbus by writing the music column ("Go Ask Alice") for the Playgrounds weekly newspaper for many years. Yes, Alice became a rock and roll photographer in her 50s! She often travelled to several concerts each week, befriending and supporting numerous start-up bands. She attended major events like the Super Bowl and Lallapalooza as a member of the press.

Alice was a lifelong animal lover. Her children and friends have fond and zany memories from the constant stream of cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, and the occasional tortoise or tarantula that came through the house.

Alice will be remembered for her childlike enthusiasm, which lasted well into her 70s. Her spirit was unbreakable, though her body was not.

Alice's remains will be scattered by her family in LaGrange and in the Gulf of Mexico in the coming weeks, no doubt with the music of some of her favorite bands playing.