Gerald "Steve" Steven Barnes

Gerald Steven Barnes, 71 of Douglasville, GA went home to be with his Lord on April 22, 2020 after an extended battle with heart and kidney failure brought on by diabetes. Steve was born in Atlanta on June 24,1948 to Gerald Fred Barnes and Helen Ivey Barnes. Jerry and Helen, along with their children, Sharon and Steve, made their home in southwest Atlanta. They were committed to Christ and raised their children to have that same faith; a faith that sustained Steve throughout the loss of loved ones and his health struggles. Steve accepted Christ as a young man and attended various Baptist churches throughout his life. Steve attended elementary school in southwest Atlanta and completed high school at Lakeshore in College Park. After high school Steve began his career with the City of Atlanta Fire Department and retired with over 30 years of service. He made his home in Douglasville starting in 1969 and remained there until his passing.

As a teenager, and even as an adult, Steve thought The Rolling Stones were the best group ever and he enjoyed listening to "Gimme Shelter" over and over. Steve loved to dance and dance he did for many years. It would be remiss of the family not to mention his love for Georgia Tech football. In Steve’s early days he loved to say that Tech “was the only game in town” and he remained a committed Tech fan throughout his life.

Steve was an avid deer hunter enjoying both rifle and bow hunting. He spent many happy hours in the woods with his son, Jerry Barnes, grandson, Alex Barnes, and granddaughter, Avery Barnes, along with his son-in-law, Duane Gordon, and numerous friends until his health prohibited him from enjoying his favorite past time.

Steve truly missed his calling in life, as he was an unbelievable history buff and a true “walking history book”. He loved this great country and would have made a wonderful history teacher, should he have chosen to follow that path. He particularly had a great interest in the American Civil War and people were always amazed at his vast knowledge on the subject. This interest in history, lead to his love for historical movies, especially John Ford westerns starring John Wayne. The Searchers, in particular, was his favorite and he could probably recite that movie word for word, he had seen it so many times. Of course he loved all types of movies and It’s A Wonderful Life came in a close second to The Searchers. His love for movies was right up there with his love for reading. He felt that no book, other than the Holy Bible, could hold a candle to Gone With The Wind.

Steve loved the Georgia Coast, particularly Saint Simons and Jekyll Islands. Some of his happiest times were spent with his family, particularly his precious daughter, Jennifer, and friends enjoying the beauty of the water and beaches under a glorious blue sky created by the God he loved and honored.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Helen Barnes; his maternal grandparents Sanders and Gertrude Ivey; and his paternal grandparents, John F. and Mae Ladd Barnes. He leaves behind those who will miss his amazing sense of humor and bigger than life personality; son, Jerry Barnes (Roxanne), Greenville, GA.; daughter, Jennifer Barnes Gordon (Duane), Buford, GA; grandson, Alex Barnes (Brooke), Bremen, GA; granddaughter, Avery Barnes, Greenville, GA; sister, Sharon Barnes Addison, Tucker, GA; her sons, Greg and Brent Addison; aunt and uncle, James Herman and Joyce Ivey Cofer; along with 3 precious great grandchildren, Hadleigh Grace, and the recently born twins, Millie and Mason. Additionally, there are numerous aunts, uncles and cousins on the Ivey, Couch, Ladd and Barnes sides of the family.

A viewing and visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home in Douglasville.

The family requests those desiring to honor Steve, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Donations may be made on the St. Jude website (stjude.org) or by mailing a contribution to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929

Please take time to leave condolences with the family or share memories of Steve by visiting www.whitleygarner.com

Services have been entrusted to the care of Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home, 8640 Rose Avenue, Douglasville, Georgia 30134