Benjamin Shields Barnes, age 96, died on August 3, 2015. A native of Savannah, he began his early years attending Savannah schools, and graduated with honors from Baylor School for Boys in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After graduating from the University of Georgia’s School of Business Administration, he entered the U.S. Navy, serving from 1941 till 1945, assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence. He served aboard the destroyer USS Livermore in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific Theaters.

Upon separation from the service, he became employed by the First National Bank of Atlanta. He rose through the ranks to become Vice Chairman of the Board of the bank and the holding company. Mr. Barnes’ involvement in Atlanta civic affairs was extensive, including service as Co-chairman of the United Way, Director of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and Director of the Capital City Club.

His corporate memberships included The Atlanta Gas and Light Company, Munich American Reassurance Company, and London Interstate Bank, Ltd. He held diplomas from the Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers University, and the Advanced Management Program, Harvard University. For ten years he was a senior lecturer at the School of Banking of the South, Louisiana State University, followed by three years as a lecturer at the American Bankers’ Association’s Commercial Lending School, University of Oklahoma. His thesis at the Graduate School of Banking was accepted for the Rutgers University Library, a singular distinction. He also received national awards from the Robert Morris Associates for his writing and speaking.

In addition, Mr. Barnes received Distinguished Alumnus awards from both the School of Business Administration at the University of Georgia (now the Terry School of Business) and the Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tennessee. In college affairs, he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity and the Gridiron Society.

After retiring in Atlanta, he returned to Savannah and served as Board Member, and when required, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the First Bank of Savannah. He was Trustee and Treasurer of the Telfair Museum of Art, Board member of the Savannah Symphony Society, Historic Savannah Foundation, the Savannah Foundation, the Skidaway Island Foundation, Savannah Chamber of Commerce, and , Chairman of the Board of Union Mission. He served as a Board member of MedBank; and also as an Advisory Board Member of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Habitat for Humanity, the St. Andrews Society of Savannah (honorary) and was Past President of The Landings Association. Mr. Barnes was a member of The Chatham Club.

In recognition of their years of devoted work with Union Mission in Savannah, a building was named THE BEN AND BETTY BARNES CENTER, a facility that provides housing and counseling for improving the lives of women with disabilities.

Ben was a gifted woodworker, making furniture, and volunteering to make cabinets for Habitat for Humanity. He painted many landscapes, and also enjoyed salt water fishing.

Over the years he participated extensively in the affairs of the Presbyterian Church, primarily in Atlanta, though currently Ben has been an active member of the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of this church.

He is survived by his wife, the former Betty Osborne Withers and their four daughters, Julia Barnes Handley of Jacksonville Florida, Rannie Barnes French of Columbia, SC, Carole Barnes Beason and her husband Fred of Isle of Hope Georgia, , Betsy Barnes Malcolm and her husband Geoff of Atlanta, Georgia. Beloved grandchildren include Laura Brink and her husband Hank, Richard Reid and his wife Jenny, Robert Reid , Jennifer Van Fossen and her husband Eric, Julie Saxon and her husband Joel, Anna Tartak and her husband Jochen, Ben Beason, Thomas Beason and his wife Heather, Geoffrey Malcolm and Carole Malcolm. These great grandchildren also blessed his life: Ellen and Charlie Reid, Lily and Alexander Van Fossen, Kate and Caroline Saxon, Lucas and Jackson Tartak; and Carson, Bennett and Amelia Beason. In addition Mr. Barnes is survived by his brother William and wife Lucy of Monroe, Georgia, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Henry.

The family wishes to express their special gratitude to Sallie and Carnell Cook, Rebbie Owens, Mabel Green, and Hospice Savannah for their compassion and kindness as they cared for “Mr. Ben.”

A Memorial Service in celebration of his life will be held at The Isle of Hope United Methodist Church on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 2 pm. The family invites friends to a reception at the church following the service.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Ben and Bettye Barnes Memorial Fund of Union Mission, Inc., 120 Fahm Street, Savannah, Georgia, 31401, or to The Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, 412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, Georgia 31406.

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel