C. Lawrence Barnett

C. Lawrence Barnett, 82, a retired minister and insurance executive, died Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. Funeral: 10 a.m. Friday at Bethesda Community Church, under the direction of Greenwood Funeral Home. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bethesda Community Church. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Christian Fidelity Foundation, Box 820765, Fort Worth, Texas 76182. Lawrence was born Sept. 2, 1931, in Fort Worth to Cecil Rhoads Barnett and Edmonia Utley Barnett, both ministers. Lawrence was ordained in 1956 as an Assemblies of God minister and served numerous congregations in the greater Fort Worth area and church ministries in various capacities. He selflessly gave of his time and expertise with longtime service on boards of directors of Christian Fidelity Foundation, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Global University, Pleasant Hills Children's Home, A/G Family Services and other church-affiliated benevolent and educational institutions. In 1971, he was elected president of Christian Fidelity Life Insurance Co. of Waxahachie and led the company through 30 years of growth, expanding into 31 states and Medicare Supplement product lines. He was also an entrepreneur, having owned and operated multiple businesses over his career, including Bar-Tex Metal Products, Texas Graphic Corp. and Diversified Services. He was preceded in death by his parents and two younger brothers, Joseph W. Barnett and Ronald E. Barnett. Survivors: His wife of 64 years, Alletha Mae Harward Barnett; daughter, Gay Barnett and husband, Jon Burroughs, of Everson, Wash.; sons, Larry Barnett and wife, Janelda, of Greenwood, Ind., and David Barnett and wife, Juliana, of Richland Hills; sister, Alice L. Swain of Stephenville; grandchildren, Rachel Manley, M.D., and husband, Joe, of Bloomington, Ind., David Barnett and wife, Sara, of San Jose, Calif., Timothy Barnett and Alletha Barnett of Greenwood, Ind., Leah Rockwell and husband, Brian, of Fort Worth, U.S. Army Capt. Daniel Barnett and wife, Kristin, of Tacoma, Wash., Caleb Barnett and Benjamin Barnett of Richland Hills; two stepgrandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.