ROCKY MOUNT - Francis "Marion" Barnes, age 81, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Born on May 16, 1945, he was the son of the late Alice Abernathy and Guy Earl Barnes. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Barnes Robertson and Judith Barnes Agnew.

He is survived by Kate Barnes, his wife of 34 years; his brother-in-law, George "Jody" Witt of Murrells Inlet, SC; nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Lakeside Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to North Carolina Wesleyan University, 3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or UNC Health Nash Foundation, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.