From the Newnan Times-Herald 

Margaret Anne Barnes, who won fame as the author of “Murder in Coweta County,” died Thursday evening at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Barnes, 80, had lived for years in Decatur, Ga., but remained vitally connected to her home county — speaking at various events, signing books at Scott’s Bookstore and visiting friends and relatives. “She is going to be missed,” said Earlene Scott, the downtown bookstore owner who often worked with Barnes.

“Margaret Anne Barnes did for Coweta County what Margaret Mitchell did for Atlanta,” said Spencer Ragsdale, former editor of the DeKalb News-Sun, after publication of “Murder in Coweta County.” Barnes was a consultant when her book was turned into a television movie, and at one time she was working on a play version of the story.