A Life Story
Bonnie Alice McClung Barksdale, 86, died peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2026 in Savannah Georgia surrounded by her family. Bonnie was born September 17, 1940 in Atlanta, Georgia, the youngest child of Ottis Lacester and Ina Pearl Hemperley McClung. After graduating from Sylvan Hills High School in 1958, she began working to help support her family while her brothers attended college. She later became a secretary in Dean Griffin’s office at Georgia Tech, where she met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Dillon Barksdale. They married in 1962 at Sylvan Hills Baptist Church and made their home in Atlanta, with a few years in Lafayette, Indiana, while Dick completed his PhD. Bonnie and Dick raised two daughters and later welcomed their beloved Peruvian “Son,” into the family. Bonnie was a devoted wife and mother who lovingly cared for her family, friends, and pets. She gave generously of her time and talents, volunteering at her daughters’ schools with ESOL students and in the library, serving on the PTA, as Team Mom for countless sports teams, and as a Girl Scout leader. Later in life she volunteered at the Jimmy Carter Center. Bonnie was an active member of the Georgia Tech Women’s Club and Women’s Missionary Union, and a longtime member of Clairmont Hills Baptist Church and later Intown Presbyterian Community Church in Atlanta. Her faith was central to her life. She loved God, read the Bible daily, and was an avid reader and Georgia Tech football fan. Bonnie is survived by her beloved daughters, Cheryl Barksdale Grimes (J. Samuel) and Richelle Barksdale Southwick (Scott); her “son” Roberto Cornejo-Chang; her brother, Carl McClung; sisters-in-law Jane McClung and Becky Barksdale; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Ottis and Ina Pearl McClung; her beloved husband of 44 years Richard “Dick” Barksdale; her brother Rev Joseph Ottis McClung Sr; her sister Anna McClung Fouts; brothers-in-law James Fouts and William “Bill” Barksdale; and nephew James “Jim” W. Fouts. A memorial service will be held on October 30 at 11:00 a.m. at The Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle (Episcopal) in Savannah. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, or Canine Assistants in Milton, Georgia. Bonnie leaves behind a legacy of hospitality, love, faith, service, and devotion to her family. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.