Hilda H. Hagar Barnes
Hermitage, TN
Age 91, passed away Friday, May 2, 2014. Preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Thomas Franklin Barnes; parents, Emmett and Nova Jenkins Hagar; sisters, Pauline Wells, Lucille Hall and baby sister, Lillian Roberta; brothers, Ewell, Henderson, William and Houston Hagar.
Survived by brother, John Robert (Mary) Hagar; sisters, Louise (Robert) Davis, Mary Frances Bruce and Ruth Boner; sister-in-law, Peggy Hagar.
A graduate of Donelson High School, she attended Watkins Institute and employed 37 years with the U.S. Government (Social Security Administration), where she rose from typist to Supervisor and Branch manager. She was a member of N.A.R.F.E., Chapter 1576 and a current member of New Hope Baptist Church since 1935.
After retirement she turned her talents toward research and publication of "The History of New Hope Baptist Church - The First 150 years". This was followed by several family histories including, "The George Hamilton Family - N.C. to TN"; "Gleaves Families in Middle TN"; "Jenkins Families in Middle TN"; "The Alloway-Hughes Family"; "The Barnes-Sims Families", with the greatest emphasis on that of the "Hagar-Hager Families of N.C. and TN". The Hagar, Gleaves and Wright families established the present-day New Hope Baptist Church in 1846. These families came to the area in the very early 1800s and many descendants still reside in the area.
Hilda has been the immediate family record-keeper for many years, publishing "Hagar Ramblings" annually for the family. Hagar reunions have been held annually since 1936. She organized and funded an IRS-approved non-profit Trust Fund for the 1850 Family Cemetery known as the Binkley-Steele-Hagar Cemetery, Hermitage, TN.
Funeral services will be conducted Noon Monday, May 5, 2014 at Hermitage Funeral Home with Pastor Dan Garland officiating. Visitation 10 a.m.-Noon Monday. Interment will follow in Hermitage memorial Gardens. Nephews will serve as Pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, she has requested donations be made to the or to the "Binkley-Steele-Hagar Trust Fund", c/o Melvin Hagar, 6000 Hagars Grove Pass, Hermitage, TN 37076.