Wayne J. Barnett

He resided at Westminister Retirement Residence prior to his stay at NHC Mauldin.

The son of the late Raymond Etheridge and Lillian Jameson Barnett, he was born in Twin Falls, Idaho on May 11, 1932, but grew up in Pelzer, SC.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline Neely Barnett “Polly”; a daughter, Lynn Barnett Head (Doug) of Murrells Inlet, SC and a son, Marshall Wayne Barnett of Pelzer; granddaughters, Amy Lamia (Joe) and Rachel Head; a grandson, Jared Barnett; and sisters, Elaine Ragsdale (Roy) of Greenville, Mildred Taber (Joe) of Lexington, SC, and Willene McMinn (Delano) of Anderson, SC; seven nephews and four nieces.

Barnett was predeceased by his sister, Catherine Hurley.

Barnett loved gardening, his family and singing songs for each and every occasion. He graduated from Pelzer High School where he played football, baseball and basketball and was a member of the glee club. He attended Furman University and North Greenville University. He worked for Kendall Mill, Pelzer, the Newport News Shipyard and was the athletic director of the Boys Club of Norfolk, Virginia. He began his career in Criminal Justice serving as a Probation Officer in Norfolk and later in Greenville. He retired from the SC Department of Corrections as a Job Placement Officer at Blue Ridge Pre-Release Center in 1990. He as a devoted member of Overbrook Baptist Church and served as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher.

Memorial services will be held 12 Noon Thursday, February 12 in Overbrook Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 11 – 11:45 am in the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Overbrook Baptist Church, 1705 East North St., Greenville, SC 29607.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at NHC Mauldin, Caris Hospice and the caregivers from Heavenly Cares Services.