Harry Neil Barfield

1940 - 2026

Harry Neil Barfield, 86, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Neil was born on January 9, 1940. He was the son of Harry Cecil Barfield and Dorothy Matthews Barfield. Their home was on South Avenue in Marietta next door to his granddaddy, David Dickerson Barfield, and grandmother, Lennis Marler Barfield. Neil was the only child, but the South Avenue neighborhood had a lot of families with children. Many of which were his cousins and playmates. Neil attended Park Street Elementary School and Waterman Elementary. In the eighth grade, he went to Marietta High School. Neil made friends easily and held several leadership roles. He was President of the Freshman Class, Vice President of the Senior Class, and Vice President of the Key Club. The activity he cherished the most was football. Neil was co-captain and quarterback for the 1957 football team. Neil was also voted Mr. MHS by his classmates. After high school, Neil continued his education at the University of Georgia. There, he joined Kappa Sigma fraternity which was next door to the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. This is where he met Margaret, his wife for 63 years. Neil graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Master of Business Administration. These degrees helped open the doors to his thirty-year banking career. In 1963, he went to work for the First National Bank in Atlanta on their Management Training Program. He was promoted to an officer position and served as the branch manager in the Metropolitan Banking Division and Vice President in the Correspondent Banking Division. In 1971, he was offered a banking job at Cobb Exchange Bank in Marietta. Two years later, he was promoted to President of the bank. In 1983, he joined First Atlanta as head of the bank's statewide banking division where he later became Head of the Western Region. Neil retired from banking in 1993 as a Senior Executive Vice President. After retiring from the banking business, Neil wanted to do three things: First - for his Barfield family, he wanted the Barfield Cemetery (established in 1854) to have perpetual care. This was done with the help of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Second - he wanted the Marietta City Schools to have a Foundation that would benefit the students and faculty. With the help of the community, this became a reality. Today, it is known as the Marietta Schools Foundation. Third - he wanted to work for the Philadelphia Phillies at Spring Training in Clearwater, Florida. A place he and Margaret vacationed every March. He and Margaret worked for the Phillies for 29 years.

In the community, Neil was in the Marietta Rotary Club, The University of Georgia Presidents Club, Treasurer of the Georgia Bankers Association, President of the Cobb County Bankers Association, Chairman of the Trustees of the Kennesaw State University Foundation, and Chairman of the Board for the Marietta Endowment for Educational Excellence. Neil was also an active member at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, Marietta Country Club, Kappa Sigma Alumni Society, and the Marietta Touchdown Club. Neil was devoted to his family. He often told stories and treasured memories about living on South Avenue. His greatest love was his wife, Margaret. They were married for 63 years. His greatest accomplishment was being a father. He loved Zack and Brad, and he was there for them through the ups and downs of life. Neil was a beloved grandfather and great-grandfather. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren were precious to him as they brightened his life daily. Neil is survived by his wife, Margaret Seawell Barfield; his two sons, Zack Barfield and Brad Barfield (Kim Barfield); his 5 grandchildren, Mary Beth Hinson (Culby Hinson), Whit Barfield, Chad Barfield (Hannah Barfield), Ben Barfield (Peyton Barfield), and Lainey Barfield; and his 3 great-grandchildren, Trace Hinson, Neil Hinson, and Evie Barfield. Neil's Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, March 2nd, at 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta with the Rev. Dr. Paul Sherwood officiating. A reception and visitation will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the following: First Presbyterian Church Marietta, GA 189 Church Street Marietta, GA 30060

Margaret and Neil Barfield Honorary Endowment at the Marietta City Schools Foundation 144 Polk Street Marietta, GA 30064 or https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/adaptive-donor-form?formId=afb8462d-031a-41cf-accd-3b09612072fc&envid=p-jOOpQA9vekOGec5xXWLODA&zone=usa
Marietta Educational Garden Center 505 Kennesaw Avenue Marietta, GA 30060.