Thomas Upton "Tom" Barrentine

February 10, 1941 – November 25, 2025

Thomas Upton Barrentine went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2025. He was at home with wife Pat, son Brian, daughter Patrice, and son-in-law David. He was 84.

Born the youngest of twelve children of Mary Etta and Charles Edward Barrentine, Tom grew up on the family's farm in McCarley, Mississippi. He was a wartime baby, and when his oldest three brothers returned from WWII, they played guessing games with the three youngest siblings to guess who was who. At age five, Tom began school alongside his older brother, Bill, after their father convinced the school they were twins. One of Tom's earliest chores was to drive the cows into the barn for milking before school and he was found more than once curled up asleep in the warm grass bed of a cow he'd sent on to the barn.

Tom was orphaned at age six and raised by his older siblings—first by Sadie, and later by Sam and his wife Helen—an experience that shaped the generosity, resourcefulness, and deep kindness that defined him throughout his life.

As a teenager, he had leadership roles within his church, worked as a lifeguard at Camp Lake Stevens, and managed the cotton-picking crews on the family farm. He attended J.Z. George High School, earned a football scholarship to Holmes Junior College, and later transferred to Presbyterian College and then Delta State College, where he played center on the football team and majored in mathematics. During his senior year, he met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Shelton (Pat). They married two years later, in 1964, honeymooning in the Great Smoky Mountains before settling in Marietta, Georgia, to begin their teaching careers.

Marietta was home for 40 years, where Tom and Pat raised their children, served faithfully at Calvary Presbyterian Church, and Tom became one of its youngest Elders. Mr. B devoted more than 30 years to Georgia's public schools as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal.  He earned both his Master's and Specialist degrees in Education from the University of Georgia. Known for his calm leadership, he championed teamwork and believed deeply in the power of education to help young people. His motto— "Together we can do so much"—became a guiding principle for his staff members and students in Cobb and Carroll Counties.

Family adventures were central to his life. There were countless trips to the North Georgia mountains—Lake Rabun, Minnehaha Falls, the Sorghum Mill, and Helen. In 1982, he took his family on a five-week cross-country camping trip to National Parks from the Grand Canyon to Sequoia to Yellowstone. He later completed two more major cross-country trips: one with Pat and her mother, and one with Pat and their cat, Maxi. Over the years, he explored nearly every U.S. state  - including a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Alaska - and visited a dozen countries.

After retirement, Tom and Pat relocated permanently to Cherry Log, Georgia where they built a home.  Continuing his service and leadership within the Cherokee Presbytery, Tom and Pat became founding members of Faith Presbyterian Church in 2001.

A lifelong gardener,  he enjoyed blackberry picking and eating good foods-especially dessert! He was known for repairing almost anything, sharing a ready laugh, and greeting friends with a favorite country-music line: "Hey good lookin', what you got cookin'?" He also enjoyed watching and playing sports, and coaching his children's teams.

Tom will be remembered for his strong faith, steadfast humor, service to the community, his kindness and generosity, and his singing of blues, country, hymns and anything by Elvis.

He took joy in his children's accomplishments, and continued traveling to visit Patrice in Washington State; and to visit Brian in New York, Florida, and on stages around the world.

After several years living with dementia, Tom spent his final months at home surrounded by love, comfort, and tender care. He faced the end of life with the same grace and quiet strength he carried throughout his years.

Tom is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat; his children Brian and Patrice and their extended families; his sister-in-law Helen Malone; and many nieces and nephews.

The Barrentine family extends heartfelt thanks to Affinity Hospice, Faith Presbyterian Church, and the friends and caregivers who supported them during Tom's final months.

A service celebrating Tom's life will be held at a later date at Faith Presbyterian Church.

Please consider:

Making a memorial donation in Tom's name to Faith Presbyterian Church to fund Snack in a Backpack and/or Rekindle Meals for Seniors, and
singing every day, just as Tom did.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth. —Psalm 121:1–2

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is in charge of these arrangements.