Mary Furness Scales Barnes, age 83, of Selma, died Friday October 29, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Travis Worley Barnes, Jr., her parents, John Augustus Scales and Mary Ella Blakely Scales and two sisters, Nettie Grey Scales and Juanita Rose Scales. She is survived by her son, Travis Worley Barnes, III (Becki); daughter, Amy Laura Booker (Larry); her brother, John Blakely Scales, Jr.; 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Barnes, who was affectionately known by her family as “Tootsie” worked for many years for Dr. Rembert D. Bayne as a medical secretary giving shots, drawing blood and doing X-rays. Although she loved the medical field, she glorified God the most through her creativity. She was an accomplished seamstress making dresses, men’s sport coats and handmade ties. During the late 1950’s and the early 1960’s, when a lady always wore a hat to church, she was her own designer-milliner creating the latest fashionable head attire to wear on Sundays.

Her greatest artistic joy came through her artwork which included portraits, still life and natural settings done in oils, pastels and watercolors. She passed her love for painting on to others through the art classes that she taught at the Unique Shoppe, her local art supply shop. It was during this time that she served the art community as President of the Selma Art Guild.

One of her many life passions was found in her love for floral gardening. Her own flowers were used to create many gorgeous floral arrangements used for both home and church. She served as President of the Elkdale Garden Club and remained a member until her health began to decline.

Her love for life was exhibited by her infectious laugh, her inexhaustible energy and her spirit of independent individualism. However her independent spirit never caused her not to be dependent upon God. She began her spiritual journey at Church Street United Methodist Church. Later, she became a charter member of 1st Independent Protestant Church and completed her earthly mission as a member of Elkdale Baptist Church. She loved singing in the choir wherever she attended and served as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Gideons International through which she helped distribute Bibles.

Her memory remains and will remain in the hearts of her family and friends.

A graveside service will be held Monday November 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Pineview Memory Gardens with Dr. Jerry Henry officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Sunday October 31, 2010.

Pallbearers will be Larry Booker, James G. Smith, John B. Scales, Jr., Samuel Kirby Scales, Aubrey Smitherman and Douglas Reed Barganier.

Please visit http://www.lawrencebrownservice.com to make online condolences to the family.