Savannah Barbara Blanton Carnes

Savannah Barbara Blanton Carnes, 100, died Wednesday, December 20, 2023. She was born on February 1, 1923, to Denver Mitchell and Savannah Smith Blanton in Algoma, Mississippi. There she was raised by the rails of the GM&O before moving to nearby Houston.
Barbara was a member of the 1940 Class of Houston High School. She received an Associate of Arts from Wood Junior College, Bachelor of Science from Delta State Teachers College and a Master of Arts from George Peabody College for Teachers. From 1957 until her retirement in 1988 she was a professor at Cumberland College having taught courses in English Composition, Teaching of Reading, Children’s Literature, and Early Childhood Education. During her career she was selected 1974 Teacher of the Year and 1983 Honored Professor. In 1978 the B&PW Club named her Business Woman of the Day.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she served as chairperson of the Child Care Committee. She was a former trustee of the Whitley County Library.
Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Ferrell “Prof” Carnes; sister, Alva Merle Blanton; brothers, Denver Garland Blanton, Marlin Doyle Blanton and Dewey Bennett Blanton; and grandson, Simon “Sim” Leonard Renfro IV.
She is survived by her three children, Frank Ferrell Carnes Jr., Catharine Carnes (Ronnie) Renfro, and Robert Garland (Bethani) Carnes; four grandchildren, Aaron Ferrell (Jessica) Renfro, William Joseph (Jaclyn) Renfro, Zachary Ryan (Mattie) Carnes, and Kaitlyn Brooks Carnes; two great-grandchildren, Leo Raymond Renfro and Annie Louise Carnes.
A private memorial service will be held at the Croley Edition of the Highland Park Cemetery with Dr. Bob Dunston officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Bluegrass Care Navigators, 1733 Harrodsburg Rd, Lexington, KY 40504.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.