Nadine Clenney Barron

Nadine Clenney Barron, 88, went to her eternal home on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. She and her husband, Ridley Harrison Barron, Jr., (1930-2004) were married for 47 years and patterned a 1 Corinthians 13 love that “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Nadine was born in Miller County, GA on April 4, 1934 to the late Bruce W. and Eva D. Clenney, a Freewill Baptist minister and a homemaker. She was immersed in the Christian community that would be her enduring support from an early age. Nadine never wavered in her belief that “apart from Christ we can do nothing” and instilled in each of her children a heart for missions and the Church.

Although she graduated with only a high school diploma, Nadine pursued further education in any format made available through her work in banking and at Mercer University. A lifelong Georgia native, she worked as a teller and in the proof and trust departments at 1st National Bank in Columbus for many years. When she and Ridley returned to live in her hometown, her talents were further utilized as social director for the Bainbridge Healthcare nursing/skilled care facility. Toward the end of her career at Mercer in Macon, Nadine worked in several departments including the Learning Skills Center and University College where she touched the lives of many students.

Nadine’s belief in continued education saw her children through college and into careers in education, writing, and ministry. She supported her children wherever possible and was awarded a lifetime membership in the PTA (Parent/Teacher Association) in recognition of her service throughout their school career.

Nadine was rarely idle. She enjoyed volunteering and found great joy in her time as a pink lady at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas. Her home was always open to friends and family. She was a gracious hostess. Even in her full-time employment she never missed a recital or concert or ballgame for her three children. Nadine and Ridley made family vacations a priority, particularly to the Great Smoky Mountains, her personal favorite.

Nadine was a champion for those less fortunate and patterned tireless giving. She contributed to the quality of life of everyone she encountered, even in her years in assisted living and skilled care facilities. Her desire was for all to know how very much God loves them.

Nadine is survived by her daughters, Harriet Barron Barrow (Richard), Columbus, GA; Tonda Barron Solomon (Keith), Franklin, TN; and her son Ridley Harrison Barron, III (Lisa), Chapel Hill, TN. Ten grandchildren, Ric (Laura Beth) and Carter Barrow (Alyssa); Barron (Olivia), Reid, Kenan (Molly), and Luke Solomon; and Morgan Heckman (Alex), Harrison Barron, Abigail Lieffring (Trevor), and Landon Wenrick (Wade). And eight great-grandchildren, Henry Dean Solomon, Scarlett Elizabeth Solomon, Grey Patterson Heckman, Wren Elizabeth Barrow, Hattie Ruth Barrow, Hollis Jude Wenrick, Wells Alexander Heckman, and Miller James Heckman.

Nadine’s life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 27 at Wynnbrook Baptist Church, 500 River Knoll Way, Columbus, GA. A visitation will be held at McMullen Funeral Home on Monday, December 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday prior to the service. Because of their mother’s love for missions, the family requests memorial gifts be made to First Baptist Church in Manchester, GA, Grove Hill Church in Chapel Hill, TN, or Wynnbrook Baptist Church.