Marvin G. Barnes, 67, passed away on July 4, 2014 at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk, VA. He was born on October 8, 1946 in Portsmouth, VA to Thurman S. and Lillie R. Barnes.
Marvin was a native of Portsmouth, VA, and graduated from Churchland High School in 1965. He was both an outstanding student and athlete and excelled in the sport of baseball. After high school, he attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where he participated in numerous activities, including ODU baseball and Sigma Nu fraternity. Beginning his career in consumer finance, Marvin early on became an automobile dealer, surpassing all expectations and winning several awards for his work in both business and community. Marvin is a past President of the Hampton Roads Automobile Association. He later helped create a very successful consumer services aftermarket enterprise. He also served as a Commissioner for the City of Chesapeake and was past Chairman of the Chesapeake Jubilee, working tirelessly to improve the community.
Marvin married Nina Hopewell in July, 1969 in Portsmouth, VA and was happily married for 13 years. He enjoyed running, reading and other activities, which had as their primary aim community involvement. He is survived by his mother, Lillie R. Barnes of Chesapeake, VA; a son, Grey Barnes of VA Beach; and a daughter, Rachel Barnes Norris of Portsmouth, VA; his brother, Stacy of Chesapeake, VA; a sister, Kathy and her husband William Paton of Portsmouth; his grandchildren, Owen, Alec, and Chandler Norris of VA Beach, VA, and Cosette Hopewell Moody of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina; former spouse, Nina Lodge of Portsmouth; and other relatives. Marvin was preceded in death by his father, Thurman S. Barnes.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, July 15th at 12 p.m. at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 3920 Airline Blvd., Chesapeake, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association, Maryland, VA and Washington, DC Chapter. Please share a memory with the family via the Condolences and Tributes tab.
Thank you, Mr. Barnes, for your service to this country in the National Guard.
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We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the Barnes family! We are very sorry for your loss!
Blake and Kristie Wingfield
Kathy, We are so very sorry for the loss of your brother. Though we did not know him, we know how difficult it is to lose our close family and we hope that you will find some comfort in your wonderful memories.
Dear Barnes Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, and uncle. I hope happy memories of Marvin will help you through these painful days.
With sympathy,
Lynn Davidson
Please except my sincere condolences . Marvin was a well liked gentleman and will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son, father, brother and grandfather.
I worked with Marvin in the early 80’s. Most of what I learned about the automobile business came from him, not to mention many of life’s lessons. He always treated me as an equal and with the utmost respect. I look back now and see how unique and important that was at the time. He was a good person and I often think about the years I worked with him.