Barbara Ann Woodall Flournoy passed away Sunday, March 26, 2023 at the age of 84. She was born at home on August 28, 1938 in Barnesville, Georgia, the daughter of Brittain Lloyd (“B.Lloyd”) and Martha Clements Woodall. She lived an idyllic childhood in Barnesville, where her roots ran deep, and the connection was always strong.
After graduating from Gordon High School in 1956, she attended Mercer University, where she joined Phi Mu Fraternity. She transferred to the University of Georgia, where she remained a loyal Phi Mu, and became a most avid Bulldog fan. She was a 1958 Bons Hommes debutante, being the first out of town presentee. She graduated in 1959 with a teaching degree, and moved to Macon to teach at Tinsley Elementary School. Throughout her life, she remembered with great fondness her students at Tinsley. An educator at heart, she was also a lifelong student. In 1971, she went back to Mercer and earned her masters in education, while raising her then only child, Liz. She was previously married to Everett Flournoy.
When Liz decided summer camp was the place to be at age 7, Barbara Ann wrote her a letter every single day that Liz was away at camp, for 7 years, including 5-day church camp one summer when she sent a letter special delivery to make sure Liz received it before camp was over.
She was an avid tennis player, and her friends on the tennis courts can attest to her devotion to tennis and the joie de vivre with which she approached the sport. When she was pregnant with her son, Jef, her friends joked his legs would be swinging to the side from all the tennis she played. Her tennis friends meant the world to her, and they all loved being John Smith’s “girls” when he was the tennis pro at Tattnall Square Park.
She also loved football, and, when she was younger, attended many UGA games. She followed the Dawgs, the Falcons, and many former UGA players in their professional careers. She watched football whenever it was on.
Family meant everything to her, and trips to Barnesville, and from family in Barnesville, were weekly. When her baby sister, Liz, moved to Clearwater, Florida, distance was not holding Barbara Ann back, and she would load up the car at 6 am with her family and food for the road, and head on down there. Spring break and summers always meant Clearwater and Disney.
In 1983, she embarked on her legendary real estate career, and became a force to be reckoned with. She started out with Fickling & Walker, where she made lifelong friends, and always credited Tommy McGoldrick for setting her on the right path and training her. She channeled all of her famous energy into her career, and sold her last house right before her 80th birthday. Her clients became her friends and she stayed in touch with many of them, remembering all the details of their lives, and, of course, the details of their houses!
She loved going to her Clements family reunions in Jekyll Island, and impressed upon her children the importance of family and staying in touch with them. She remained close to all of her first cousins throughout her life, and kept up with their families.
She never met a stranger, and everyone who knew her loved her and her contagious smile. She was a thoughtful and supportive friend, and also unwittingly mentored untold high school students while she was an advisor for DOM Sorority and also while she encouraged all of her son’s friends to hang out at her house.
She was happiest when she was with her children, daughter Elizabeth (“Liz”) Flournoy Thompson, and son, Josiah Everett (“Jef”) Flournoy, III. She was incredibly proud of both of them, and loved them beyond measure. She attended every school event and sporting event for both of her children, showing her love by her presence. She taught them how to live good lives and be responsible adults and parents, but also how to enjoy life. She fully supported all of their endeavors and was never stingy with a hug. She led by example.
She is survived by her daughter, Liz (John) Thompson, of Savannah, and her son, Jef (Megan) Flournoy, of Macon, two granddaughters, Dr. Brittain Robinson (Matt) of Memphis, TN, and Elliott Thompson (fiancé Max Liguori) of Atlanta and three grandsons, Wes, Brady and Powers Flournoy of Macon, her sister and brother in law, Elizabeth Woodall Pogue and Bud Pogue, of Clearwater, Florida, her sister in law, Kitty Woodall, of Florence, South Carolina, nephews Britt Pogue (Greta) of Clearwater, Florida, Eric Pogue (Heidi) of Tampa, Florida and niece Amy Gottlieb (Tony) of Savannah, all of whom loved her dearly. She is also survived by many cousins, whom she loved, and untold friends who loved her in return. She was predeceased by her parents, B.Lloyd Woodall, Sr. and Martha Elizabeth Clements Woodall, and her brother, B.Lloyd Woodall, Jr.
Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, March 29 from 5 pm until 7 pm at Snow’s Memorial Chapel at 1419 Bass Road, Macon, GA. The funeral will take place on Thursday, March 30 at 11 am at Vineville Methodist Church, 2045 Vineville Avenue, Macon, GA. Remembrances may be made to Macon Soccer Club, P.O. Box 26483, Macon, GA 31221.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.
Snow's Memorial Chapel Bass Road has charge of the arrangements.
