Ernest Barnett

SERVICES: 10:30 AM Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel, with his son-in-law, Robert Barnhill, and Scott Futrell, minister of West Side Church of Christ, officiating. BURIAL: Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Barnett was born on May 14, 1924 in Blue Ridge to Oscar and Willie Mae Barnett. Following his service in the U. S. Air Force, he owned the Yellow Cab Company of Denison where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Matthews, when he picked her up for a fare. They were married on February 19, 1945, and she preceded him in death on September 24, 2007. Ernest went into construction and was a builder on the Falcon Dam. In 1953, he went into the oil business as a self-contract pumper, which he continued until his mid-70's. He had been a resident of Pampa since 1980. Ernest was an avid hunter and golfer. He played church league softball and loved attending football games. He spent years as a volunteer youth minister and song leader. Ernest loved life and people, and always had a song to sing. He especially enjoyed barbequing for large groups. His family is thankful that he is now back with his beloved wife whom he missed terribly and he is now in the home of heaven where he spent every night of his life reading about. The family is grateful to Billie, Missie and Betty, the Pampa ICU nurses who were so wonderful to Ernest, his family and friends. SURVIVORS: 2 sons: Jerry Barnett of Little Rock, Arkansas, and David Barnett and wife Carla of Portland; daughter: Jana Barnhill and husband Robert of Lubbock; daughter-in-law: Kathy Barnett of Houston; 6 grandchildren: Jennifer, Michael, Holly, Amy, Angela and Taylor; 9 great-grandchildren: Haley, Matthew, Nathan, Tyler, Mason, Emma, Kyla, Alisa and Kaleigh; and though not by birth, he could not have had a closer brother than his best friend: Bill Harwood.MEMORIALS: Sunny Glenn Children's Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito,Texas 78586.