Carol Barns Pumadera

Carol was born in Fairborn, Ohio on December 27, 1944, to the late William Barnes and Oakie Taylor Barnes. She was the oldest child in her family, having two sisters, Cynthia Barnes Cole and Barbara “Babs” Barnes and one brother, William “Tommy” Barnes, all deceased.

Raised in the Pentecostal Church, Carol came to know Jesus as her Savior at an early age, loving and serving him her entire life.

Carol met and married the late John Durham in 1963. Together they had two sons, John and Dwayne. John Durham, Jr., now deceased, was married to Shanna Young. Major Dwayne Durham is married to Major Marion Ward and together they gave Carol her three grandchildren, John-Luke, Jeremiah, and Mary Beth.

Carol also met The Salvation Army when she met John and served with him in full-time ministry as an Envoy in The Central Territory for two appointments—Rock Island, Illinois and Clinton, Iowa.

Carol moved to Athens, Georgia in 1981 and made her home there for over 40 years. She had a career as a University of Georgia custodian and also worked at Kroger. In Athens she was a faithful soldier of The Salvation Army for many years and worked there in various capacities as the Director of the Battered Women’s Shelter, caseworker and receptionist. She was a valued member of The Home League and volunteer at The Thrift Store.

Carol married Antonio Pumadera in 1985 and together they had one son, Cordero Pumadera in 1986 whom she dearly loved.

Carol never met a stranger! She was kind, loving and compassionate to every person and animal she ever met. She loved to bake treats and share her baked goods with others, especially at church potlucks, with firemen and with the bus drivers in Athens. She never could pass by a yard sale or a thrift store without stopping and often made purchases for others. Frequently on the bus or at a sale you could find her witnessing to others for Christ and inviting them to join her at The Salvation Army for worship.

As a retiree she also loved being a part of the Athens Council on Aging Senior Program and attending local Pentecostal churches. She loved cows and bears, often collecting items with those animals.

Carol moved to Ocala, Florida to live with Dwayne & Marion in 2021 and although she came back to Athens for a period of time, she returned to live with them in both Lewisville, Texas and then New Orleans, Louisiana as her health declined. She loved their dog, Lucy very much calling her “the best dog in the world.”

In the latter part of Carol’s life, gospel music soothed her and even when she could no longer do many things, she would often sing and praise her Savior. She is now safe in the arms of Jesus whom she loved.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 10:00 am, The Salvation Army in Athens, GA located at 784 N. Chase Street. Major Barry Corbitt, former Athens corps officer, will be leading the service. The service will be livestreamed with a link to be shared later, prior to the service. Daughter-in-law, Major Marion Durham, and granddaughter, Mary Beth Durham, will be sharing loaves of Carol’s favorite banana bread recipe with those in attendance.