Marguerite H. Barnes, age 97, of Rutherfordton, NC, passed away Friday, June 23, 2023, at Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills.

A native of Rutherford County Marguerite was the daughter of the late Glenn Hollifield and the late Claude Hollifield. In addition to her parents Marguerite was preceded in death by her husband, Rae Eugene "Gene" Barnes, one daughter, Barbara Jean Sanborn, and one son, Lewis Michael Barnes.

Marguerite Howell Hollifield Barnes was one of nine children born on one of the oldest farms in Bostic, NC. As a young girl, she hoed and picked cotton, helped with the large garden, and learned to sew and cook.

As she became a wife and mother, she made most of her family's clothes, even some for her husband's. Marg, as the family called her, was also an artist where her light really shined. Her love of flowers and all things growing was evident in her paintings as well as her yard. She also had quite the eye for beautiful glassware and china and taught herself to refinish antique furniture. Marg was an accomplished cook, and her home was full of not only her children but most of their friends. She was the oldest member of First Baptist Church, her Sundays and summers were spent there, where she taught both Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.

She met her future husband at the old Sylvan Theater in Rutherfordton. Gene was changing the marque letters when she walked by and he said he nearly fell off the ladder, "that's the girl I'm going to marry" he said, and he did.

We remember her for her beautiful laugh, and never taking herself seriously.

She is survived by one daughter, Beverly Ann Barnes, one sister, Norma Hollifield McEachern, one grandson, Dr. Robert Curtis Sanborn III, and his wife Lori Beth, three great-grandchildren, Bennett, Noah, and Anna Tate Sanborn.

There will be a gathering of friends and family Saturday, July 8, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at McMahan's Funeral Home. Interment will be private at Rutherfordton City Cemetery. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.