Martha Jones Barnes' Obituary
Martha Jones Barnes, 92, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on May 20, 2026. Born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, to Tom and Mary Jones, Marty came into this world with a strong will and never let go of it. For more than nine decades, she was, by every measure, a force.
Marty graduated from McKeesport Area High School before earning her Bachelor of Sciences in Commerce and Finance from Bucknell University with the Class of 1955. Her majors in Business Education and English foreshadowed a lifetime of teaching, writing, and advocacy.
In Atlanta, she lent her voice and energy to the campaign to save the historic Fox Theatre from demolition and worked to educate young people on the dangers of drugs, causes that reflected her core conviction that communities, and the people in them, are worth fighting for.
In Savannah, Marty found a second calling in history, becoming a beloved tour guide at several of the city's landmark historic homes, most recently at the Green-Meldrim House, where she was names Best Tour Guide of 2022. In a crowning achievement, she authored her first book, Her Reluctant Hero, a testament to a woman who never stopped having something to say.
Marty was a teacher, preservationist, historian, and irrepressible presence in every room she entered. She is survived by two sons, Jeffrey Charles Barnes and John Edward Barnes, and four grandchildren, Parker, Loren, Cameron, and Carly.
Funeral services will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Green-Meldrim House.
Online condolences may be shared at www.jeffersonmemorial.com.
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