Mrs. Barbara Spahos Barnhart entered her eternal rest surrounded by her children at
Candler Hospital on Saturday morning, November 30, 2024 after a short illness. Born on
March 1, 1951, in Tallahassee, Florida, Barbara and her family moved to the Savannah area,
where her father operated the old Tybee Island pavilion. She and her four siblings helped
their father with everything from dipping candy apples to cleaning skates when they weren’t
enjoying the beach. Barbara graduated from H.V. Jenkins High School in 1969 and
Draughon’s Junior College before beginning her working career at Ductile Iron Company.
She later worked for Grumman Corporation and Gulfstream Aerospace, where she rose to
the position of Director of the Completion Center. After leaving Gulfstream, Barbara
started several successful businesses, including Barnhart Cleaning Services and Body
Bronzing by Barbara. Barbara loved gardening and received the designation Master
Gardener from the County Extension Service. She loved cooking for family and friends and
enjoyed crabbing, shrimping and fishing with her children, grandchildren and friends.
Barbara was an outstanding cook and her Shepherd’s Pie and Oyster dressing will be
copied, but never matched. Barbara and Bob opened their home to friends and family at a
moment’s notice, providing meals and a place to stay. She and her husband, Bob,
volunteered with 3rd grade children’s church class at Compassion Christian Church - East
Campus for many years, where they worshiped faithfully until they moved to Statesboro
following Barbara’s stroke in 2014. After Bob’s death in 2019, Barbara was an active
resident at the Lodge at Bethany in Statesboro and Buckingham South in Savannah, where
she lived before her passing.
Barbara was pre-deceased by her parents, Johnny Spahos and Mary Spahos, her husband,
Chester R. (Bob) Barnhart and her brother, John Rhys Eddins. She is survived by her
children, Kim (Chris) Rowland of Savannah, GA, Jonathan (Rebecca) Spahos of Statesboro,
GA and step-son, Michael (Amy) Barnhart of Portsmouth, OH. Gamma will be sorely
missed by her 6 grandchildren, Gabe (Reagan) Rowland of Warner Robins, GA, Ashby
Rowland of Savannah, GA, Samuel and Sophie Spahos of Statesboro, GA and Allen and
Leah Barnhart of Portsmouth, OH. Barbara is also survived by siblings, Mary Ann Harrison,
Andy Spahos, and Jenny Cole along with many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive visitors from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at
Compassion Christian Church – East Campus at 9150 Old Montgomery Road Savannah,
GA 31406. Funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation with Rev. Drew
Humphreys oBiciating. Family will have private graveside service and burial later that
afternoon.