AREA OBITUARIES – Letha Nell Exum Barnes

Letha Nell Exum Barnes, age 77, and a resident of South Fulton, Tenn., passed away on Fri., May 30, 2025, at the Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield, Ky., from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle collision in Hickman County, Ky.

Letha was a 1966 graduate of Fulton High School in Fulton, Ky. She then attended Murray State University in Murray, Ky., where she obtained a master’s degree in education. She was an alumnus of Alpha Sigma Alpha and Alpha Delta Kappa sororities were served as Chaplain in both organizations. 

She began her teaching career in Biloxi, Miss., and Colorado, and then taught for 31 years in the Fulton County School System in Hickman. 

Letha served on the Board of the Fulton City-County Retired Teachers’ Association and the former Board of the Good Samaritan Wellness Center in South Fulton. 

Letha had a true love of the Lord and found much joy as an active member of the South Fulton Baptist Church, where she worked in many capacities throughout the years, finding much joy in her acts of servanthood. 

Affectionately known by her adored grandchildren as Grammy, she was always there supporting them at their ballgames and any functions they were involved in. Another favorite pastime, Letha enjoyed in her retirement, was the game of golf.

She is survived by her husband, Genie Barnes, of South Fulton, to whom she married Dec. 27, 1998; her children, Jennifer (Jeff) Wallen, of Thailand, Jacob (Krista) Davidson, of South Fulton; step-children, Britt Barnes (Debbie Rodkin), of Atlanta, Ga., and Caroline (Scott) Coleman, of Union City, Tenn.; and her grandchildren, Tristan Wallen, Hope Wallen, Chance Wallen, Cadence Wallen, Hadlee Davidson, Cruz Davidson, twins, Nora Kate and Jude Davidson, Carly (Cory) Luther, Miller Coleman, Liam Barnes (Sam Kaviyakone), and Chloe Barnes. 

Letha was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Milton and John (Tommy) Exum. 

A Private Family Burial Service was held at Greenlea Cemetery in Fulton, Ky..                                                                                                                                                                                         

A Celebration of Life will be held at 6 p.m. on Mon., June 30, 2025, at the South Fulton Baptist Church, with Dr. Ron Cox officiating

Visitation will be held at the church from 4 p.m. until the hour of service. 

Memorials to honor the life of Letha Barnes may be made to: Harvest The Vision, c/o South Fulton Baptist Church, 1500 Broadway, South Fulton, TN 38257

Hornbeak Funeral Chapel, in Fulton, is in charge of arrangements.