Eugenia Barksdale

Eugenia Finney Barksdale, wife of Edgar Wilson Barksdale, loved and admired by family and a host of lifelong friends, passed away June 12, 2016. The family had pre-celebrated her 95th birthday two days earlier. Repeated bouts of bronchitis, suffered since youth, presented an ever-present and escalating challenge to both her lungs and heart. "Old age is not for sissies" she always said, and she fought age and ailments with her steel-willed, but always-positive, determination. Born in Milledgeville, Georgia on June 17, 1921 to Thomas Joel Finney and Gertrude Freeman Finney, she grew up in Gordon, Georgia. As a natural pianist from an early age, she often remarked "if you can hum it, I can play it". (And in any key...). After high school, she attended Bessie Tift College in Forsyth before graduating from Mercer University in Macon. She learned working at her father's small-town dry goods store that "You don't have to like everyone, but you must be nice to everyone." And since she was elegant and gracious in being nice to everyone, she maintained an unusually wide circle of admiring friends of all ages. Joining Wieuca Road Baptist Church in 1955, the church played a central role in her and her family's life through years as a Sunday School teacher, pianist, office volunteer, and her favorite activity - teaching English to the Internationals' Class. Her family and children were her life, and dedication to that constant love never failed. Mrs. Barksdale is survived by: her daughter Genie Barksdale Turner, who provided years of loving devotion, care, and friendship; three sons and families including Ed & Joan Barksdale of Darien, CT, Jim and his former wife Suzanne Barksdale of Atlanta, GA, and David and Lisa Barksdale of Greenville, SC; six grandchildren (Ted, Scott, Anne, Lisa, William, and Thomas); 11 great-grandchildren; and her children's extended families. Services will be held at Wieuca Road Baptist Church on Wednesday, June 22 at 11am, followed by a reception at the family's home. A private family burial will take place in Covington City Cemetery the following day. The family would like to extend special gratitude to the loving and compassionate caregivers who made her last few years so comfortable including Melanie Dubberly, Michelle Strickland, Jennifer Morgan, Diane Siddo, Sandra Graham,Betty Peterson, Ashley Swepson, CJ Stone, and Velvia Young. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to either Wieuca Road Baptist Church, Mercer University, or other community organizations.