‘Pops stood up for my son.’ Columbus residents celebrate life of beloved city councilor
Folks lined up in Revelation Missionary Baptist Church to take their turn at the microphone, speaking tributes to memorialize Columbus Councilor Jerry “Pops” Barnes at Thursday’s celebration of his life.
The story told by Charlotte Daniel Irvin summarized the selfless spirit of this beloved leader.
One day, Irvin’s son drove into the back of Barnes’ car, then took off.
“When we went to court,” Irvin said, “Pops stood up for my son.”
Instead of being an adversary seeking retribution, Barnes advocated for Irvin’s son, took him under his wing and into a program where he volunteered in the community.
“I was forever grateful because he could have gone to jail,” Irvin said.
Barnes died April 14 at age 80 from an unspecified illness. He represented District 1 on Columbus Council for 17 years.
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop of the 2nd Congressional District described Barnes as “a good man, a great servant. … Pops was a man who loved serving people. More importantly, he loved serving God.”
Barnes also served his country, for 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1996 as a master sergeant, according to his obituary. At the age of 57, he earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Columbus State University and worked as a registered nurse.
During his initial Columbus Council campaign in 2006, when he beat incumbent Nathan Suber in a runoff, he knocked on every door in the district, Bishop said.
Among the city improvements Barnes helped lead to fruition are parks and recreation centers, hiring more police officers and opening a new police precinct, Bishop said.
“Pops also demonstrated a steadfast passion for advocating for veterans and seniors,” Bishop said.
Barnes restarted a local Veterans Day parade, established a group for seniors to maintain their benefits, hosted the “Focus on Health” TV show on the government access channel and launched a youth vocational training program, Bishop said.
On the ladder of life, Bishop said, Barnes climbed with one hand and reached back with the other to help his fellow citizens.
Former state Rep. Calvin Smyre of Columbus recalled the year when the Fountain City Classic parade was scheduled for the same time as the Veterans Day parade Barnes organized — and Smyre didn’t hesitate to yield that date to him.
“He was never shy about letting you know his opinion,” Smyre said with a smile.
While some folks make a living by what they get, Smyre said, Barnes made a life by what he gave, planting seeds of goodness throughout the city to grow metaphorical trees he’ll never see.
“Job well done, faithful servant,” Smyre said.
