Claude Barnes

We regretfully announce the passing of Deacon Claude Barnes, of Bennettsville, SC. Mr. Barnes transitioned from his earthly tent to his heavenly home at his residence, on Sunday, August 29, 2021.  

Obituary

Claude was born in Wilson, North Carolina. He attended school in Brooklyn, New York. He served in the United States Air Force and retired from the Air Force after serving over twenty years
where he received extensive training in Leadership and Management, Morale and Ideology, Personal Counseling and Basic Doctrine Character Guidance. Upon his retirement, he began his
civilian career with Safeway Stores, Inc., Oakland California as a Supervisor and later he was Superintendent. Claude retired from Safeway in 1989. He began a new career with Anheuser
Busch as a Supervisor, retiring in 1993 and relocating to Bennettsville, South Carolina. During this period of time (twenty-two years) Claude was self-employed as a Registered Representative with Waddell and Reed as a Financial Planner.

Claude served as a Deacon at Shiloh Baptist Church, and past Sunday School Superintendent, a member and past president of the Male Chorus, and a member of the Brotherhood where he served as the first President, Chairman of the Policy, and Chairman of the Calendar committee, and other committees assigned by the Pastor. Claude is a 32nd degree Mason, Past Master, Treasurer and a Royal Arch Mason, Past Worthy Patron, District Patron, Past District Associate Patron, and Eastern Star. He also served as Eastern Star Grand Officer for two years. Also served as a Grand Lodge Deputy at Large for Community Affairs. Other activities that Claude was a part of included Transportation Board of Directors of Marlboro County, past Chairman Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership Board, Chairman Marlboro County Economic Board, Board of Directors Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership Board (Treasurer), Board of Directors United Way, past Vice Chairman United Way, Board of Director Red Cross (Treasurer), Life Member of NAACP, Charter President Bennettsville Breakfast Club, Secretary Bennettsville Breakfast Club, and was on the Board of Directors Federal Correctional Institute, Bennettsville, SC Drug Court member. Claude was a member of the local Kiwanis Club where he served as a member of the Board of Directors, Club Secretary, Distinguished President and Distinguished Lt. Governor. Claude was awarded the Omega Citizen of the Year award in 2000; he received a letter of Congratulations for Prestigious Accomplishment in Kiwanis from Jim Hodges, then Governor of South Carolina. He received a Certificate of Appreciation from State Senator Maggie Glover in 2000 and 2004. Also, received a Certificate of Appreciation from US Representative Jim Clyburn in 2000 and State Senator Gerald Malloy in 2004. Claude received many other awards and recognition throughout his life that would take too long to mention them
all.

Claude has been married to Gladys Coit, of Bennettsville for sixty-eight years. They have five children: Eva Willis, Brenda Bronau gh, Claude Barnes, Clifford Barnes, and Tanya Veiga; fourteen grandchildren (one deceased), twenty-eight great grandchildren, eight great, great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.

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