Marlena Barnard Cartier

Marlena Barnard Cartier was born February 3, 1938, in Warne, North Carolina and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family in Young Harris, Georgia on October 21, 2021, at the age of 83. She will be warmly remembered by all who knew her and missed dearly by her family. Marlena is survived by sons, James Cartier (Kathy) and Gregory Cartier; daughter, Nicole Cartier-Dawson (Garry); grandchildren, Taylor, Rylee and Cole; siblings Noel Barnard (Zell), Jeanette Barnard Dills (Dewey), Diana Hazlewood (Steve) and sister-in-law Jannette Barnard; extended family and loving friends. She was preceded in death by parents, Arthur Leon Barnard and Wilda Chambers Barnard and brothers Arthur Leon Barnard Jr. and Richard Keith Barnard.

Marlena graduated from Towns County High School in Hiawassee, Georgia where she was valedictorian of her class. She also graduated with honors in the Class of 1958 of Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia.

Marlena worked for the Department of Defense for over 30 years in Atlanta, Georgia. She enjoyed traveling as often as possible, by wagon trains in her younger days and airplanes in her latter. She had visited all 50 states and several countries abroad. She spent her spare time shopping, reading, and watching old westerns. And has even been known to travel the country hunting for a wagon wheel or western artifact.

Visitation was held Sunday, October 24, 2021, at Cochran’s Funeral Home in Hiawassee, Georgia, from 4:00-7:00 PM. Funeral services were held at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Warne, North Carolina, on Monday, October 25, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Dennis Miles officiating. The body lay in-state at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial was in Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery, in Warne. The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Craig Shook, Kirk Shook, Jeff Barnard, Eric Barnard, Shane Barnard, and Kenny Barnard.

If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church; The American Cancer Society; or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee. Please share your condolences and sign the online guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.