Willis Barnett

Willis Barnett was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 15, 2019. He was born on July 25, 1926 in the Mt. Hermon Township of Pasquotank County, North Carolina to the late Deacon Samuel Sr. and Annie Mae Turner Barnett. On August 16, 1948, Willis married the love of his life, the late Mary Belle Billups. Willis was a World War II Army veteran and served in the Allied occupational force in Germany from 1945 to 1946. He worked as a civil servant after separating from the military at St. Juliens Creek Annex in Portsmouth, Virginia and retired from the United States Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, Virginia in 1988. Because of his job location, Willis relocated his family to Portsmouth, Virginia in July 1961. He maintained residency in Virginia and North Carolina until his retirement upon which he elected to return to Elizabeth City, North Carolina (Weeksville). He and his wife, Mary, remained in Elizabeth City until they moved closer to their children in 2008. Willis accepted Christ at an early age and served with distinction as a church deacon at Samuel Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and Memorial Missionary Baptist Church (both of Elizabeth City, North Carolina), New Bethel Baptist Church (Portsmouth, Virginia), as a minister at First Baptist Church Southhill (Chesapeake, Virginia), and a member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (Elizabeth City, North Carolina). He served as the pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Creswell, North Carolina and was an active member of the North Carolina Baptist Pastors’ Union. Upon his return to Virginia, Willis became a member of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church (Portsmouth, Virginia). Church attendance and participation were integral components of Willis’ spiritual being, a trait that was conveyed to his children. Prayer, scripture, and the recitation of Bible verses were the standard order of worship every Sunday morning at the home breakfast table before going to church. He was a member of a local male quartet for several years and a member of the church choir. He was known for being able to “wake up” a church by his fiery renditions of old-time metered hymns such as “Do You Know the Man from Galilee” and “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.” His favorite quartet groups were the Harmonizing Four, the Pilgrim Jubilee, the Swanee Quintet, the Violinaires, the Soul Stirrers, the Highway Q-C’s, the Canton Spirituals, and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. As he matured in the Lord, he often shared with fellow believers his understanding of the importance and seriousness of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. From a personal perspective, Willis had a special love for family and was deeply devoted to his wife of 63 years. As situations and needs occurred, he and his wife were known to travel to look after loved ones upon receiving a telephone call. This included numerous trips to Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, Ohio; various areas of Maryland; New York; and Texas. He was fond of cars and spent much time meticulously caring for those that he owned. His special love was his blue 1961 Ford Galaxy 500. He loved to watch westerns on television and believed in the importance of dress, spending many hours polishing and shining his shoes on Saturdays in preparation for Sunday church attendance. He was straightforward and unbending in his beliefs and convictions and has often been described as a very strong-willed, determined person who viewed the importance of keeping one’s word. Willis was preceded in death by three sisters (Marian, Mary Magdalene, and Carlottia); five brothers (Samuel Jr., Thomas Lee, Matthew, Johnny Lee, and George Lee); and one grandchild (Shelby Watkins). Left to cherish Willis’ memories are his three daughters: Sharon Neeley (Robert), Gwendolyn Jenkins (John), and Terrie Pugh (Vincent) and his son, Willis L. Barnett; his sisters: Elsie Phillips, Margaret Barnett, Louise Barnett, Helen Gregory (Thomas); his in-laws: Edith Barnett, Jean Barnett, Elder Lee Billups (Ernestine), Shelton Billups (Sandra), Shirley Brown; 11 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. Let it be known that Willis Barnett loved the Lord above all else. He peacefully passed into eternity with his Lord and Savior. His favorite apostle was Paul, and he often stated that he wanted to be known for fighting the good fight until the end. We can conclude, that this was accomplished. “Well done, My good and faithful servant!” Acknowledgements Great appreciation is extended to the following……. • Mrs. Veronica Jackson: Faithfully and selflessly served as Willis’ Christian confidante, caregiver, and “riding” partner since 2016. • Reverend Dr. Johnie Hopkins, Sr.: Faithfully provided heartfelt support to Willis and his family. He also restored Willis and Mary’s Elizabeth City family home. • St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church: Provided ongoing Christian support and assistance for the past five years to Willis and his family. Special recognition is given to Former Pastor Curtis Edmonds; Pastor-elect Dwight Riddick, Jr.; the Diaconate Ministry (Brother Lewis Taylor—Chairman, Brother Felton Brown—Tribal Leader); the Senior Missionary Ministry (special thanks to Ms. Mae Williams); and the Music Ministry. • J. T. Fisher Funeral Services: Provided a level of service that is second to none.

Willis Barnett

July 25, 1926 - March 15, 2019