Ben S. Barnes and his wife, Ruth Barnes (b.1892) were socially prominent and active members of Savannah, Georgia, society in the 1930s. During this period, they lived in the Gordonston neighborhood with two sons, Ben Jr. and Henry. The Barnes' were very active members of Savannah society in the first half of the twentieth century and served in a large number of social and civic clubs and groups. Ruth Barnes was active in the Gordonston Garden Club, on a number of committees with the Young Women's Christian Association, served as a member of the board of managers of the Savannah Public Library, and as president of the Women's Auxiliary of the Independent Presbyterian Church. An alumnae of Agnes Scott College, she was particularly active in the Savannah branch of the American Association of University Women (A.A.U.W.) in which she served as president from 1934-1935, and as the general chairman of the National Convention of the A.A.U.W. in 1937. Ben S. Barnes was also an active member of Savannah society. As manager of Weil Brothers, Mr. Barnes served as president and member of the Savannah Cotton Exchange, was on the board of the Young Men's Christian Association, a member and Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Savannah Rotary Club and was a deacon at the Independent Presbyterian Church.
From the description of Ruth Barnes papers, 1930-1966 (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 163823578
