from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Augusta Mae “Gussie” Barnhart, 81, of Athens, Ohio, died July 13, 2011, at Kimes Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born February 17, 1930, in Blacklick, she was the daughter of the late Homer and Blanche Perry Barnhart. Ms. Barnhart was a 1950 graduate of Athens High School and was a lifetime member of the Southern Valley Colt Circuit.

Her life was devoted to horses. She was raised in Coolville and started riding her first pony at age five, which was given to her by her father. She began training and racing horses at age 20 and spent the next 60 years of her life working with horses. Most of her life was spent at the fairgrounds in Athens in the Race Horse Barn. She touched many young lives and hearts through her love for horses at the Athens County Fair. She was well known and loved by everyone she met.

Ms. Barnhart is survived by three nieces, Vicki Woolwine, Laura Blackledge, and Linda Patterson; a nephew, Richard Barnhart; and several cousins. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Nettie Snider; brothers, Ralph, Charles, and Dale; a niece, Judy; and a nephew, William Lee.

Services will be Monday (July 18) at 11 a.m. at Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home with Pastor Buford Brown officiating. Burial will be in Athens Memory Gardens. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday (July 17) from 4-7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Junior Fair Board in memory of Augusta Barnhart, P.O. Box 669, Athens, OH 45701 or Athens County Emergency Medical Service.