North Carolina Wesleyan University mourns the passing of Francis “Marion” Barnes, a longtime member of the University’s Board of Trustees, generous benefactor and devoted champion of Wesleyan and its students. Barnes passed away September 2, 2026, at the age of 81.

For Marion Barnes, Wesleyan was more than an institution he served, it was part of his family’s legacy. His father, Guy E. Barnes, was one of Wesleyan’s founders, and Marion carried that connection forward through decades of service, leadership and generosity to the University.

Barnes served on the NC Wesleyan Board of Trustees from 2012–2020 and again from 2023 until his passing in 2026. During his years of service, he served on numerous committees, including Athletics, Building & Grounds, the Executive Committee, Committee on Trustees, Development, Investment and Finance. He chaired the Investment Committee from 2019–2022, the Committee on Trustees from 2023–2025 and the Athletics Committee from 2025–2026.

“Marion Barnes understood that Wesleyan is a special place because of the people who believe in it and the students whose lives are changed here,” said Dr. Evan D. Duff, President of North Carolina Wesleyan University. “He carried a deep sense of responsibility for the University that came from his family’s history, but his commitment to Wesleyan was uniquely his own. He gave his time, his leadership, his resources and, most importantly, his heart to this University. We are deeply grateful for his service and friendship, and we will miss his presence on our campus and in our Wesleyan family.”

Barnes’ Passion

Barnes’ commitment to NC Wesleyan was especially visible through his support of athletics. A lifelong football enthusiast, he attended most home football games and took great pride in Wesleyan’s student-athletes. His leadership and fundraising efforts helped generate more than $2 million toward the University’s stadium expansion. His obituary notes that his efforts were instrumental in advancing the stadium project.

In recognition of his longstanding commitment to Wesleyan, the University has designated the future Marion Barnes Press Box, which will be part of Phase II of the stadium project once the project is fully funded and constructed. The naming recognizes Barnes’ many contributions to the University, including his years of dedicated service, personal contributions to the University, personal support of the stadium fundraising effort, leadership in raising more than $2 million toward the stadium project, and the longstanding Barnes family legacy at NC Wesleyan and throughout the Rocky Mount community.

Barnes’ generosity extended beyond athletics. In December 2025, he was the lead donor supporting Wesleyan’s “Angel Scholarships,” which provided financial assistance to working adult students during the Christmas season. The gift reflected his belief in removing barriers for students and helping them pursue their education and build a better future.

“He cared deeply about our students and understood that an investment in Wesleyan is an investment in the future,” Duff said. “Whether he was working to strengthen our athletics programs, helping advance a major campus project, supporting a working adult who needed a little extra help, or simply sitting in the stands cheering for our Battling Bishops, Marion was always showing up for Wesleyan.”

Barnes’ Legacy

Barnes’ connection to Wesleyan was part of a much larger legacy of service to the Rocky Mount community. His father, Guy E. Barnes, was among the University’s founders, and Marion continued the family’s commitment to the institution throughout his life. He was also a successful businessman, athlete, philanthropist and mentor whose influence extended throughout the region and beyond. His obituary notes his leadership in business, his football career at UNC-Chapel Hill, his military service and his extensive philanthropic contributions to education, athletics and health care.

At NC Wesleyan, however, his legacy will be remembered most personally through the students, student-athletes, colleagues and friends who experienced his generosity and enthusiasm firsthand.

From the Board room to the football stands, Barnes was a familiar and steadfast presence. He believed in Wesleyan’s mission, cared about its students and worked to help secure its future.

The future Marion Barnes Press Box will provide a lasting physical reminder of that commitment. His greater legacy, however, will live in the people he supported and in the University he worked so diligently to strengthen.

“Marion believed in Wesleyan’s future,” Duff said. “He wanted to see this University thrive, and he wanted our students to have every opportunity to succeed. We are honored to carry forward the legacy he helped build, and we are grateful that generations of Wesleyans will know his name and the difference he made.”

North Carolina Wesleyan University extends its deepest condolences to Barnes’ wife, Kate, his family and friends, and the many members of the Wesleyan and Rocky Mount communities who knew and loved him.

His legacy will remain an enduring part of NC Wesleyan.