BARNETT, Mary Faye, age 96, formerly of Tazewell VA passed away at her home in Sevierville, TN Saturday, November 4, 2023, days short of her 97th birthday.
Mary and her husband James Barnett were married on March 16, 1946. They shared a devoted life together for 62 years in Tazewell, VA, much of it in a home they lovingly built together and opened to welcome friends and family. In addition to their love of family, they shared a tenderness and appreciation for nature and their surroundings. More recently, Mary moved to Tennessee to be closer to family. She persevered through much in her life, including the loss of her home to the wildfires that struck Gatlinburg, TN in 2016. She has been a proud resident of the Brookdale community in Sevierville, TN since then, forming many friendships there where she was known for her quick smile and playing hymns on the piano.
Mary was born in War, WV on November 17, 1926 to Zed Sherrill and Carrie Faye (Wheeler) French. She was a graduate of Tazewell High School in 1945 and went on to study music at Concord University. During her time there, Mary studied voice, violin, and piano. Throughout her life, Mary was an accomplished soprano, pianist, and songwriter, having composed numerous songs and hymns of praise to God. Since childhood Mary shared her lifelong love of music with her family and friends, from her youth spent playing music with her siblings, to sharing the piano bench with her grandchildren, to very recently playing the piano for fellow residents and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Barnett Sr., her grandson Garrett Reece Barnett, sisters Louise Cruise and Irene Britts, and brother Sherrill French. Mary is survived by her son, James Earnest Barnett Jr and his wife Martha Kay Barnett; her grandchildren Jamie Marie Barnett and her wife Bonnie Hamalainen, and Cassidy Kate Barnett; and numerous special nieces and nephews.
A private graveside memorial will be held in Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter in memory of Mary.
Mary and her husband James Barnett were married on March 16, 1946. They shared a devoted life together for 62 years in Tazewell, VA, much of it in a home they lovingly built together and opened to welcome friends and family. In addition to their love of family, they shared a tenderness and appreciation for nature and their surroundings. More recently, Mary moved to Tennessee to be closer to family. She persevered through much in her life, including the loss of her home to the wildfires that struck Gatlinburg, TN in 2016. She has been a proud resident of the Brookdale community in Sevierville, TN since then, forming many friendships there where she was known for her quick smile and playing hymns on the piano.
Mary was born in War, WV on November 17, 1926 to Zed Sherrill and Carrie Faye (Wheeler) French. She was a graduate of Tazewell High School in 1945 and went on to study music at Concord University. During her time there, Mary studied voice, violin, and piano. Throughout her life, Mary was an accomplished soprano, pianist, and songwriter, having composed numerous songs and hymns of praise to God. Since childhood Mary shared her lifelong love of music with her family and friends, from her youth spent playing music with her siblings, to sharing the piano bench with her grandchildren, to very recently playing the piano for fellow residents and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Barnett Sr., her grandson Garrett Reece Barnett, sisters Louise Cruise and Irene Britts, and brother Sherrill French. Mary is survived by her son, James Earnest Barnett Jr and his wife Martha Kay Barnett; her grandchildren Jamie Marie Barnett and her wife Bonnie Hamalainen, and Cassidy Kate Barnett; and numerous special nieces and nephews.
A private graveside memorial will be held in Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter in memory of Mary.
BARNETT, Mary Faye, age 96, formerly of Tazewell VA passed away at her home in Sevierville, TN Saturday, November 4, 2023, days short of her 97th birthday.
Mary and her husband James Barnett were married on March 16, 1946. They shared a devoted life together for 62 years in Tazewell, VA, much of it in a home they lovingly built together and opened to welcome friends and family. In addition to their love of family, they shared a tenderness and appreciation for nature and their surroundings. More recently, Mary moved to Tennessee to be closer to family. She persevered through much in her life, including the loss of her home to the wildfires that struck Gatlinburg, TN in 2016. She has been a proud resident of the Brookdale community in Sevierville, TN since then, forming many friendships there where she was known for her quick smile and playing hymns on the piano.
Mary was born in War, WV on November 17, 1926 to Zed Sherrill and Carrie Faye (Wheeler) French. She was a graduate of Tazewell High School in 1945 and went on to study music at Concord University. During her time there, Mary studied voice, violin, and piano. Throughout her life, Mary was an accomplished soprano, pianist, and songwriter, having composed numerous songs and hymns of praise to God. Since childhood Mary shared her lifelong love of music with her family and friends, from her youth spent playing music with her siblings, to sharing the piano bench with her grandchildren, to very recently playing the piano for fellow residents and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Barnett Sr., her grandson Garrett Reece Barnett, sisters Louise Cruise and Irene Britts, and brother Sherrill French. Mary is survived by her son, James Earnest Barnett Jr and his wife Martha Kay Barnett; her grandchildren Jamie Marie Barnett and her wife Bonnie Hamalainen, and Cassidy Kate Barnett; and numerous special nieces and nephews.
A private graveside memorial will be held in Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter in memory of Mary.
Mary and her husband James Barnett were married on March 16, 1946. They shared a devoted life together for 62 years in Tazewell, VA, much of it in a home they lovingly built together and opened to welcome friends and family. In addition to their love of family, they shared a tenderness and appreciation for nature and their surroundings. More recently, Mary moved to Tennessee to be closer to family. She persevered through much in her life, including the loss of her home to the wildfires that struck Gatlinburg, TN in 2016. She has been a proud resident of the Brookdale community in Sevierville, TN since then, forming many friendships there where she was known for her quick smile and playing hymns on the piano.
Mary was born in War, WV on November 17, 1926 to Zed Sherrill and Carrie Faye (Wheeler) French. She was a graduate of Tazewell High School in 1945 and went on to study music at Concord University. During her time there, Mary studied voice, violin, and piano. Throughout her life, Mary was an accomplished soprano, pianist, and songwriter, having composed numerous songs and hymns of praise to God. Since childhood Mary shared her lifelong love of music with her family and friends, from her youth spent playing music with her siblings, to sharing the piano bench with her grandchildren, to very recently playing the piano for fellow residents and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Barnett Sr., her grandson Garrett Reece Barnett, sisters Louise Cruise and Irene Britts, and brother Sherrill French. Mary is survived by her son, James Earnest Barnett Jr and his wife Martha Kay Barnett; her grandchildren Jamie Marie Barnett and her wife Bonnie Hamalainen, and Cassidy Kate Barnett; and numerous special nieces and nephews.
A private graveside memorial will be held in Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter in memory of Mary.
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