Sara Barnes McGinnis

Sara Barnes McGinnis, 87, passed away on July 27, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida where she resided. She was born Sara Catherine Barnes on July 10, 1939 in Boston, Georgia to Evelyn and John L. Barnes.

Sara grew up in Bartow, Florida and went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Florida State University. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and later worked for the Florida Farm Bureau. Sara's creativity, love of people, and sense of adventure would eventually lead her in new directions. She started her own special events business, The Grande Occasion, where she orchestrated large events and galas, including many for the Florida Legislature, one of her largest clients.

Always ready for another adventure, Sara later attended the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco, California and became a tour director. It was a role perfectly suited to her. She loved traveling, loved people, and above all, loved a good story. On one of her first tours after graduating, she traveled to Alaska and met the man who would become her husband, Donn McGinnis. The two married in 2001 and Sara welcomed Donn's children, Nora and Donn, into her family.

Alaska held a particularly special place in Sara’s heart and she treasured the time she spent working and living in Skagway. Throughout her life, she also called Bartow and Tallahassee, Florida; San Francisco, California; and Pinehurst, North Carolina home.

Sara loved travel, reading, writing, music, and finding reasons to make ordinary days special. Some of her greatest creativity was reserved for her grandchildren. A visit from Nana might mean a backyard parade or, when rain spoiled plans, spreading a picnic blanket on the floor, turning the living room into the perfect picnic setting. She never lost the little kid in herself and she had a gift for bringing that sense of fun to the people around her.

More than anything, Sara will be remembered for the positive energy she carried with her and the way she made people feel. She was a true people person and brought fun, stories, laughter, and an infectious enthusiasm for life wherever she went.

Sara was preceded in death by her husband, Donn McGinnis; her son, Keith Roberts; her sister, Christine Case; and her brother, William “Buddy” Barnes.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Mitcheom; her son, Kenneth Roberts; her grandchildren, Peyton Mitcheom and Noah Mitcheom; her brother, Larry Barnes; and Donn’s children, Nora Blevins and Donn W. McGinnis.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 E. Main Street, Bartow, Florida 33830. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Sara’s final resting place will be beside her husband, Donn, at Sunset Hills Burial Park in Canton, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sara’s memory to the Dementia Society of America at Dementia Society of America/donate or by mail to P.O. Box 600 Doylestown, PA 18901