Frances Arnold Barrett Zimmerman

Frances Arnold Barrett Zimmerman November 14, 1918 - May 31, 2010 COLUMBUS, GA— Frances Arnold Barrett Zimmerman, age 91, died May 31, 2010, at her home in Columbus. Mrs. Zimmerman was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 14, 1918, the elder daughter of Louise Phinizy (Broyles) and Thomas Barrett, Jr. She and her mother lived with her maternal grandparents until her father's return on Christmas Eve 1919 from service with the U.S. armed forces in France during World War I. Soon thereafter, they returned to Augusta, where she was the sixth generation of the Thomas Barrett family. Her father later served as Mayor of Augusta and was a co-founder of the Augusta National Golf Club in 1931. Mrs. Zimmerman was educated at Montrose School for Girls in Montrose, Pennsylvania,  Ridgelands College in Wimbledon, England, and Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. She and her husband, William Hugh Zimmerman, a native of Augusta, were married 61 years before his death in Columbus on Dec. 22, 2000. The family moved from Augusta to Columbus in 1949 and joined First Presbyterian Church, where Mrs. Zimmerman was a past president of the Women of the Church. The Historic Columbus Foundation chose her as its Honored Lady at the 2000 Heritage Ball. A member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Georgia, she served as Town Chairman in Columbus, and during her years in Augusta was a member of the State Board of Regents. She was also a former member of the Woman's Reading Club, the Cape Jasmine Garden Club, and The Junior League of Columbus, and was a Trustee of The Historic Columbus Foundation. Mrs. Zimmerman, who was called "Heart" by her grandchildren and their friends, was the gracious matriarch of her extended family. She was known for her generosity to many Christian causes and to her friends, and her Southern heritage and manners endeared her to all who knew and loved her. Survivors are her three daughters and two sons-in-law: Louise Z. Austell of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and twins Catherine Z. and W. Reynolds Bickerstaff of Columbus, and Helena Z. and John M. Jones, Jr., of Greeneville, Tennessee; four grandchildren and their spouses: Frances A. and Harold B. "Toby" Wells Jr., of Pinehurst, North Carolina, Elizabeth A. and Dr. West Allen of Jonesboro, Arkansas, William Taylor Bickerstaff and wife Ashley of Bozeman, Montana, and Walker Reynolds Bickerstaff, Jr., and wife Sarah of Columbus;  and seven great-grandchildren: Helena Broyles Allen and William Zimmerman Allen of Jonesboro, Lydia Louise Wells and Elizabeth Grace Wells of Pinehurst, Anne Catherine Bickerstaff and David Barrett Bickerstaff of Bozeman, and Sarah Walden Bickerstaff of Columbus. She was predeceased by a sister, Bertha B. Garrett, and a son-in-law, Edward C. Austell. The family would like to express special appreciation and gratitude to Catherine Sanders and Llorata and Tamara Handia, who honorably cared for Mrs. Zimmerman over several years, as well as Rovonda Torian, Tanyetta Mullins, Helen Herbert and Columbus Hospice. A private interment will be held at Fort Mitchell Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, Alabama. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, June 4th at 2:00, and the family will greet friends in the Johnson Center following the service. Those wishing to make remembrances may make them to the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 First Ave., Columbus, GA 31901; The Salvation Army's Hometown Endowment, P.O. Box 9143, Columbus, GA 31908; or the donor's favorite charity in lieu of flowers.  Condolences may be expressed at www.shcolumbus.com.