Carolyn Barnette

Carolyn Merritt Barnette was born March 31, 1938, and, after a lengthy illness, went to her Heavenly home on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Family visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2026, from 4:30-7:00pm at Roseneath Funeral Home and a celebration of life will be held at 2pm on Thursday, February 20, 2026, at Rose Neath Chapel with Reverend Leon Boggs and Reverend Uriah Oxford officiating. Serving as Pallbearers are: Shay Barnette, Luke Ritchie, Scott Merritt, Robert Salter, Chad Madden and Keith McClung.

Carolyn left a beautiful legacy of unconditional love and kindness. She was a Christian who abundantly shared her love as a wife, mother, mamaw, daughter, sister, aunt, and a friend to many.

Carolyn grew up in Minden and after graduation married her high school sweetheart, Jimmie. They were blessed to be married for 62 years.

Carolyn was of that special generation who were willing and able to have a career of service filled with volunteer roles in many organizations. These included school parent groups while her children were in elementary/junior high grades along with the National and Louisiana Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliaries, where she held many offices in both organizations. She truly loved her Rural Carrier family. She was one of the initial volunteers of the Minden Medical Center Auxiliary, in the early '70s. She faithfully volunteered for 35 years. She was also a leader in the Auxiliary and held many offices. As she would proudly say, she was a “Pink Lady.”

Carolyn was a devoted member of Lakeview Methodist Church. She was not only a member, she truly loved and served her church and her church family, She was very active in every facet of her church.

Carolyn loved her family and loved to travel with them! While traveling, she could be counted on to find a Mall and some Outlets, as she was an avid shopper! She lived every facet of her life with love and joy! Her greatest blessings in life were her grandchildren, who lovingly called her, “Mamaw”. She wore this title with great pride, joy, and playfulness! She didn’t miss one of their events! Whether it was at school, church or sitting in the 100-degree heat or freezing cold at a ballpark, she was there and was their biggest fan! She loved having Shay & Tiffany at her house every summer! It was a fun filled week! She looked so forward to meeting her first great grandchild, Garret Cole. When Cole arrived and she held him for the first time, she had a smile that beamed with joy, like we had never seen!

Carolyn genuinely cared for others. She had a gift of making people feel truly loved. When her name is mentioned, the comment that usually follows is, “she was so sweet.” She truly cared about people. She helped many people over the years; however, in her humble nature, she never wanted anyone to know about her help/assistance.

She loved her family fiercely and unconditionally! She taught them to love and trust in God, love each other deeply and to always be there to support and help others!

Those who met her when she got to her Heavenly home were her husband, H.J. “Jimmie” Barnette, parents, Gradie and Sybil Merritt, daughter-in-law, Donna Barnette, father- and mother-in-law, Hubert and Mary Lee Barnette and brothers- and sister-in-law, Lee Barnette and Ray & Kay Pollock.

Those left to cherish her loving memory are: her son, David Barnette, daughter and son-in-law, Mary & Darrell Winget; grandchildren, Shay Barnette, Tiffany & Luke Ritchie and great-grandson, Cole Ritchie; her brother and sister-in-law, Butch & Sunny Merritt; sister-in-law, Shelby Barnette, nieces and nephews and her special extended family, Ellen Upton Madden, Chad & Arden Madden, Lindsay Madden Salter & Robert and their children.

A very special thank you to the staff of Minden Medical Center; the staff of Allegiance Hospice, Allen Mosely, NP, & Dr. Kirtan Koticha and their entire staffs. “Thank you,” doesn’t seem sufficient! Each of you provided medical care with love and compassion! Also, thank you to her special caregiver, Urcella, who helped Carolyn's family care for, with love, in her later years.

Carolyn’s later years were ever so challenging for her, as her fiercely strong independence was taken from her, when Dementia became prevalent. She was alive; however, so very frustrated, as she wasn’t able to truly live the life she loved. Despite her challenges, Carolyn’s love and faith in Jesus never waivered! She faced death as she did life, with courage and strength, as she knew where she was going!

She will be missed beyond measure and there is a huge void that will never be filled! The legacy of love that she left her family will be with them forever! Although we are so very sad that her earthly journey has ended, her eternal one has just begun. We are comforted in knowing that we will see her again and knowing that she is healed.