Alice Norton Barnes, formerly of Marion, SC, passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2026, in Charleston, SC. Born in Marion, Alice spent her early years in the community before relocating to Denver, where she spent much of her professional life. After retiring, she returned to Marion to care for her parents and lived there for many years before moving to Charleston three years ago.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Barnes, her parents, the Honorable William Benjamin Norton Jr. and Irene Gillespie Norton, and her two sisters, Caroline N. Moran and Evelyn N. Myatt. She is survived by her daughter, Tamara Gentry (Will), stepson, Kevin Barnes (Amber), grandchildren, Meredith and Michael; her brother, William Norton, and three nieces and a nephew.

Alice graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in journalism and a minor in statistics. She went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Denver, focusing on business administration, non-profit management, and gerontology.

Her career was vibrant and impactful, beginning in bank marketing and evolving into a distinguished consulting and corporate training career, spanning industries from oil and gas to non-profits. Alice served as president of the American Society for Training & Development and ran her own consulting business. She also worked for the South Carolina Governor's Office in the early '70s and traveled to England with Colorado Governor Dick Lamb in the early '90s to study healthcare for seniors.

Alice was a woman of passion, vibrancy, and adventure. She cherished life's finer pleasures, from collecting antiques (or "junking," as she fondly called it) to skiing the slopes of Vail. She also had a deep love for Jimmy Buffett's music, which always brought her joy. She was an avid Denver Broncos and Carolina Gamecocks fan. She adored her sweet cat, Mollie, who passed away recently.

A celebration of Alice's life will be held at the Asbury House at 303 East Godbold St. in Marion at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Her ashes will be interred at Rose Hill Cemetery with family and close friends prior to the gathering at the Asbury House.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a cause dear to Alice's heart, such as the Marion County Museum, or asks that you consider making a donation to your local animal shelter, taking a friend to lunch, or performing a random act of kindness in Alice's memory.

An online guestbook is available at www.mearesfh.com.

Meares Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.