Gaither McArthur Barnes

Gaither McArthur Barnes

Gaither McArthur Barnes, 79, of Taylorsville, passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at his home.

Gaither was born April 17, 1942, in Alexander County, the son of the late Reuben Barnes and Lois Deal Barnes.

Gaither’s passion in life was grading and farming, which he worked at for over 60 years. He enjoyed raising cattle and chickens on his farm and operating heavy equipment such as bulldozers, loaders, motor graders, track hoes, pans, and tractors. Gaither has worked for hundreds of people over the years. He was a risk-taker and no job was ever too challenging for him to do. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Gaither loved spending time with his family and the more people who surrounded him the happier he was. Some of his greatest enjoyments came from taking his grandkids to places like the circus, fairs, and of course, just simple trips to Wal-Mart. Great Paw’s favorite place these past couple of years has been his pond, and he loved watching his great-grandkids catch bass and catfish and then throwing them back in for them to catch again.

Including his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Barnes.

Those left to cherish and honor his memory include his wife, Betty Parker Barnes of Taylorsville; his daughter, Tammy Marlowe (Keith) of Taylorsville; his son, Jeffrey Barnes (Rita) of Taylorsville; his grandchildren, Anthony Marlowe of Winston-Salem, Maegan Galliher (Ethan) of Statesville, Bria Marlowe of Taylorsville, Candace Heffinger (Brandon) of Raleigh, Kristin Richey (Kevin) of the Bethlehem Community, and Kelsey Barnes of Taylorsville; his great-grandchildren, Kinsley Richey, Kara Richey, Roslyn Heffinger, William Heffinger, Beau Galliher, and soon to be Finn Galliher due July 23rd; sister-in-law, Evelyn Barnes of Taylorsville; and special caregiver, Ruth Maltba.

The funeral service will be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Rev. Chris Goforth, Rev. Mitch King, and Rev. Joe Tipton will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Friday, July 16, 2021, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Marlowe, Ethan Galliher, Kevin Richey, Brandon Heffinger, Wesley Fox, and Bradley Fox. Logan Richey will be an honorary pallbearer.

Memorials may be made to Alexander County Hospice, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681.

Condolences may be sent to www.adamsfunerals.com.

Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to be serving the family of Gaither Barnes.