Belva Kay Barnhardt

Ms. Belva Kay Barnhardt, age 83, of Eton, GA, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Advent Health Murray.

Belva was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dalton. She was a tireless advocate for children and the disadvantaged. Earning her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Charlotte in 1972, she began her career as a teacher. Upon moving to Georgia, she continued to teach and earned her master’s degree from the University of Georgia. She served as principal for City Park school for eleven years, then as Director of Special Education until retirement. Belva spent her lifetime devoted to helping, guiding, and uplifting others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Ralph and Maxine Swanner Howell.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, David and Janet Barnhardt of Dalton, GA, Mark and Tabatha Barnhardt of Dalton, GA, and John and Karen Hedden of Eton, GA; grandchildren, Jennifer (Benjamin Joseph) Hartsock, Amie (Joshua) Spain, Sarah (Amber) Barnhardt, and Tayler (Tanner) Wilcox; great-grandchildren, Autumn and Noah Hartsock, Stephen, Charlotte, and Baby Spain, and Madeline Wilcox; extended family also survives.

A memorial reception to celebrate the life of Ms. Belva Kay Barnhardt was held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Peeples Funeral Home from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

A graveside service in celebration of Belva's life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Oakboro Cemetery, Oakboro, North Carolina, officiated by Rev. Terrell Watts.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Dalton Education Foundation. (P.O. Box 1408, Dalton, GA 30722-1408)