Linda Lee Barnette

1938 - 2021

Linda Lee Laird Barnette, 82, of Hendersonville, NC, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at the Elizabeth House.
She is survived by her husband, James H. Barnette Jr.; and children, Kimberly Horton and husband John Horton of Hendersonville, Kerry Stewart and husband Joe Stewart of Hendersonville, Kasey Gilliam and husband Mike Gilliam of Hendersonville, Krista Cathey and husband Bobby Cathey of Apex, and James Harold Barnette III and wife Jennifer Barnette of Black Mountain; and two brothers, Joseph Frank Laird and wife Betty Laird of Asheville and Gary Wayne Laird of Jacksonville, FL; and grandchildren, James Horton, Ian Horton, Tyler McCraw, Conner McCraw, Jordan Gilliam, Sydney Woerner, Tanner Gilliam, Brittany Feezor, Zach Cathey, Maddie Cathey, Thomas Barnette, Lillie Chilton, and William Chilton; and great-grandchildren, Salem McCraw and Cole Feezor.
She was born November 27, 1938, in Miami, Florida. Spending summers in Hendersonville with her grandmother, she met her true love James (Jim). They secretly eloped to Greenville, SC, in 1955. She changed from a beach girl into a Blue Ridge Mountain girl but she always loved the beach. For the past 65 years they've spent their time traveling, dancing on Main, and enjoying the sporting and school events of their children and grandchildren.
They raised their children in First Baptist Church and have resided in the same pew of the sanctuary since their children were young. Linda was a familiar face around the church and established the Mom's afternoon out program there. She spent much of her time serving the youth at Crosswalk and could be found playing ping pong with the middle schoolers often. She loved helping with Meals on Wheels and playing guitar and singing with her band, Sassafras, at the local nursing homes. Linda participated in local bowling leagues, was a basketball coach, and was a member of the 1981 USTA State Champion Tennis team. She enjoyed sunny afternoons in her garden and watching the birds on her porch overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Her accolades display her servant's heart, but where she really shined was as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was WHKP Mom of the Year in 2011, but she was mom of the year every year in her children's eyes. Her love of family brought together her children and grandchildren, her siblings, and cousins for holidays. Since 1981, she organized beach trips all along the South Carolina coast, eventually settling on the Isle of Palms where she loved boogie boarding in the waves or playing with her grandchildren multiple games of Rummikub.
She was a friend to all and enjoyed spending time with her friends in Sunday School, Bridge Club, and Couples Club with her husband, Jim. Linda adored Jim and through it all, from their elopement to Jim's deployment in Germany, raising five children and enjoying their grandchildren, they were each other's best friend.
Linda was celebrated by her family at a special service on January 4, 2021.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to CrossWalk at First Baptist Church or Meals on Wheels.
CrossWalk/First Baptist Church
312 5th Ave W, Hendersonville, NC 28739
Meals on Wheels
105 King Creek Blvd, Hendersonville, NC 2879