Marilyn Todd Barnes' Obituary
Marilyn Todd Barnes, 86, of Memphis, TN, passed away peacefully on March 2 , 2023.
Although born in Humboldt, TN, Marilyn’s parents moved to Memphis during her childhood, where she eventually attended Humes High School, class of 1954. Following graduation, Marilyn enrolled in Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX. It was after her freshman year that she agreed to marry her high school sweetheart, Ben, who was, by then, drafted into the US Army and assigned to Washington, D.C. Following their wedding in July, 1955, she decided to leave college and move to Washington to be closer to her new husband. Given that she had always been an exceptional student, this was not an easy decision for her. Nevertheless, she was able to secure a position with the Department of Defense, working out of the Pentagon, and was widely recognized for her capable skills, despite her young age.
Following Ben’s military service, the couple returned to Memphis long enough for Ben to complete his college education, while Marilyn worked for General Motors. Ben was soon offered a position with the the American Red Cross, which provided them an opportunity to fulfill a dream of both of theirs to move overseas and see the world. A posting in Augsburg Germany soon presented itself and they quickly accepted. Ben and Marilyn lived in Germany for the next 3 years and, during this time, Marilyn poured herself into volunteering at the nearby US military base. The couple were also blessed with their first child, Amy. Their “life abroad” inspired a lifetime of travel, both within the US and to many other countries around the world.
After returning to the U.S., Ben was transferred to various cities along the Southern coast, helping design disaster relief preparedness plans and coordinating volunteer efforts. At each stop, Marilyn would, in short order, be asked to participate in local organizations, which would soon recognize her gift for organization and planning. A desire to be closer to family, eventually led Ben to accept a position back in Memphis, in the mid 1960s. Their time away had, however, sparked an interest, in Marilyn, in languages and cultural exploration that drove her to finish her degree, which she had put on hold years earlier. She went on to attain a MA in German Studies. Upon completion of her degree, she was offered a position at Harding Academy in the early 70s to stand up their German program. Throughout that decade, the program she established continued to grow and thrive. She was immensely proud of her students and their accomplishments and remained close with many of her students until the end of her life. Ben and Marilyn’s son, Todd, was born during this period as well.
At the dawn of the 1980s, Marilyn and another fellow teacher and friend, decided to test their abilities in a different profession and chose the financial industry, first with Aetna Insurance, then, two years later, with Dean Witter, which would eventually become Morgan Stanley. As a, then, young financial advisor and broker with Dean Witter, Marilyn soon realized that she had a passion for helping clients achieve a measure of financial security. Her unwavering commitment to her clients contributed to a successful decades-long career that won her praise and admiration among her colleagues, as well as others in the industry.
Following her retirement, at 73, in 2009, Marilyn and Ben embarked on several, long-planned trips to distant shores around the world. Marilyn also began devoting more of her time to her philanthropic pursuits, volunteering and assuming leadership roles with a number of local non-profit organizations, both large and small. And, at every opportunity, she would be planning social gatherings with and for the myriad friends she maintained, an activity that brought her tremendous joy throughout her life. She will be dearly missed.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Benjamin Joseph Barnes, and is survived by her daughter, Amy Barnes Wright and her husband, Ronnie Wright, of Memphis; her son , Benjamin Todd Barnes, and his wife, Anne, of Washington, DC, and her granddaughter, Lily Barnes.
Ms. Barnes was also preceded in death by her parents, Norman Ephraim Todd and Mary Dickey Todd, and brother, Norman Edward Todd.
A private memorial service will be held at the family’s columbarium site at Memorial Park Cemetery, and a celebration of Marilyn’s life is planned for a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC), Christ Church Memphis, or a charity of one’s choice.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930.
What’s your fondest memory of Marilyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marilyn?
Share a story where Marilyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marilyn you’ll never forget.
How did Marilyn make you smile?