Mildred Barnette

Mildred Franklin Barnette

LANDIS - Mildred Franklin Barnette, 84, of Landis, passed into her eternal home at Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehab Center in Salisbury on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Her death was unexpected.,

Mildred was born May 26, 1930, in Comer, Ga., a daughter of the late Clinton and Eula Mae Hughes Barnette. Mildred was a longtime area resident and she worked for 49 years for Cannon Mills Co. Plant 4 spinning room as a doffer, then a spinner and finally as a sweeper.

She was a former member of Lakewood Baptist Church. Her ministry of service there was working with the Beginner's Sunday School Class and she helped prepare the Lord's Supper and altar flowers; later she transferred membership to First Baptist Church in China Grove, where she was active in the nursery with her husband and also served preparing the Lord's Supper and the altar flowers. Mildred was an avid supporter of both churches' music ministry.

Mildred was a very dedicated wife to the love of her life, Elmer J. Barnette, who passed in November 17, 2014, and a loving and devoted mother. Her home was her castle and she loved to take care of it and her family.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Mildred was preceded in death by her five sisters: Agnes Danner, Elease Page, Gladys Wyatt, Ida Mae Stancil and Betty Shinn; and four brothers: JC, Gene, Jr. and Bobby Franklin.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Dr. Sharon M. Barnette of the home; her niece, Sheila Bittle (Lloyd) of Landis; her grandnephew Todd Bittle (Jade) and their daughter Olivia; her brother-in-law, Lee Barnette (Carol) of China Grove; and nephews Boyce Lee Barnette (Esther) and their daughter, Sarah Rose, and James A. Barnette and his children, Kelci and Caleb; and cousin Claudia Zawada (Ed) of Concord. She is also survived by longtime dear friends, Margaret and Jim Murdock of Mt. Ulla and Carolyn and David Rogers of Concord.

Arrangements: A funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at First Baptist Church, China Grove with Rev. Steve Wilson and Dr. Tom Snipes officiating. Burial will take place at Carolina Memorial Park at a later date. The family will receive friends at the church from 4-5 p.m. before the service.

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome

Memorials: Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Music Ministry Fund, 302 Patterson St., China Grove, NC 28023.