Joe Barnett Jr.

Joe R. Barnett Jr., died Monday, September 5, at the age of 76, after sharing a special birthday celebration on Saturday with his family. A special time to share with family will be Friday evening, September 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Graveside services are set for 10 a.m. Saturday morning, at Steep Hollow Cemetery.

Born Joe Ryle Barnett in 1934, he attended Stephen F. Austin High School Class of '53 and Texas A&M University he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. Joe married Mary Ann Tharp in 1956, and they lived in the community of Steep Hollow, near Bryan. Joe was an active member of Steep Hollow Baptist Church and a leader in the men's ministry in the community.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Barnett, of Dallas; his children, Kim Schonwald of Dallas, Sam Barnett of Lake Charles, La., Cindy Sustar of Niamey, Niger, Africa, and Dan Barnett, of Edmond, Okla.; as well as eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.