Carroll Smith Barnwell was born on September 5, 1923 in Macon, Georgia, the son of George Rhett Barnwell and Nina Price Barnwell. He graduated from Lanier High School in Macon, and volunteered for the Army Air Corps during World War II while a student at Clemson University. He served in China and India as a Staff Sergeant flight engineer on the B-25 bomber as part of the 14th Air Force, the “Flying Tigers”. After returning from World War II, he completed a degree in Textile Engineering at Clemson University. He was then employed by the Bibb Manufacturing Company in Macon, GA for 22 years, becoming the Director of Research and Development. He was responsible for developing some of the fabrics used in the first moon landing and other aspects of the NASA space program. He was then employed by Mount Vernon Mills in Greenville, SC and subsequently became Director of Research and Development for the Uniroyal Corporation in Georgia and South Carolina. During his tenure there, he was voted Scientist of the Year, among other honors.
He was an active member of the Baptist and Episcopal Churches in the communities in which he lived, and devoted himself to volunteer work in food pantries, Meals on Wheels, and other charitable organizations. He was an active Kiwanian and volunteered his services at the Indian Mounds in Macon. An avid photographer, he was one of the few to take color photographs during World War II. Many of his photographs have been featured in the Airmen’s Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, as well as in printed books.
A devoted and loving husband and father, he was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Joyce Chandler Barnwell of Macon, GA, and his second wife of 4 1/2 years, Carolyn Pittman Barnwell, of Macon, GA. He is survived by his 4 children, Carol Barnwell Neighbors, Joyce Barnwell Yocum, Hettie Barnwell Cannon and George Rhett Barnwell, as well as 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. The family extends special thanks to his caregivers at Compassionate Care Hospice and Zebulon Park Health and Rehab Center, and to Carol Spencer and LaTara Fowler for their devoted care to our father.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Christ the Healer Ministries, Inc. PO Box 27466, Macon, GA 31221, or donate online at christthehealer.us.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church. Visitation will begin at 10:30 in the Cloister Room with a reception following the memorial service also in the Cloister Room. Burial will be private for family only. The Rev. Harriette Simmons and Rev. Bill Abbott will officiate.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.
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