Carl H. Barnhart

1929 - 2024

Carl H. Barnhart

May 14, 1929 - November 8, 2024

After several months of declining health, Carl H. Barnhart passed from this earthly existence Friday, November 8, 2024, leaving behind a strong, loving family and many caring friends and neighbors who helped him live his final days at home.

Carl was born in Roanoke on May 14, 1929, to Elbert and Minnie (Flora) but the family moved to Franklin County and established a small farm soon after the stock market crash later that year. In 1952, he married Mary Sue Naff and the two formed a beautiful, life-long partnership that thrived until his death.

Two years after Carl and Mary Sue were wed, he purchased 18 Guernsey cows and 144 acres of farm land on Blackwater River from his father, launching Barny Bay Dairy and his life's work. Through persistent determination, a tireless work ethic, creative problem solving, and an endless effort to improve and expand, he grew Barny Bay into one of the larger dairy farms in the area and his proud legacy continues today.

Carl was mostly self-taught, curious, and always open to new ideas and concepts. He was often an early adopter and pursued farming practices that sometimes were unconventional but almost always successful, earning him the Virginia Outstanding Young Farmer award. Over the years he increased his dairy herd, cross-breeding the Guernseys and their rich, buttery milk with hearty Holsteins. He bought more land and machinery and built new barns and silos. As his farm grew and prospered, he remained deeply involved in all aspects of the operation-from herd management to crop production-and every chore, large and small, received his full attention and his thoughtful, inquisitive approach to his work.

Carl's broad-minded imagination was not limited to farming. He was fascinated by the power of nature and man's efforts to harness that power and he delved into complex subjects like the creation of the Cosmos and the evolution of Mankind. He pursued knowledge and experience with gusto. He dreamed of traveling to Mars.

Carl also enjoyed more terrestrial adventures, loading his family into the car for summer trips to Florida or the Outer Banks or New England or, really, anywhere. After the children had grown he and Mary Sue travelled to the Caribbean, Europe and the Soviet Union. He loved exploring new places, trying new foods, meeting new people, and he would strike up a conversation with any stranger on any street corner, even if he couldn't speak their language.

Carl accomplished anything he set his mind to. Lured by the freedom of wind-powered motion, he bought a small sailboat and, with only a few misadventures, taught himself how to sail. At age sixty-two-with little preparation-he hopped on an old bicycle and rode 75 miles to help raise funds for the World Hunger Auction at Antioch Church of the Brethren, becoming an eager and dedicated participant in that event for years to come. He continued to bike in his later years, even riding on the back of a tandem, usually piloted by his son, Mark, after his eyesight had failed him. He took hiking and backpacking trips with his children and grandchildren well into his seventies, including memorable treks up Mount Washington, Mount Whitney, and into the Grand Canyon.

In 1992, Carl was injured in a farming accident and although his broken bones and lacerations healed, his vision was impaired and slowly worsened as the years passed. Undeterred, he adjusted to life with limited sight, having some of his greatest adventures during that time. He took daily walks into his nineties with his dog, Spot, and guided by Mary Sue, when his eyes could no longer see the road in front of him. For years they were a common sight walking arm-in-arm along Deyerle Knob Road where passersby often stopped to offer them a ride.

Carl was predeceased by his siblings, Lois, and husband, Earson Huffman, Fred and wife, Lois (Naff), and Ruth and husband, Bennie Flora. He is survived by a sister, Mildred Boitnott; and brother, Arthur and wife, Barbara (Taliaferro).

In addition to Mary Sue, his wife of 72 years, Carl is also survived by their four children, Joetta and husband, David Petersen, Tim and wife, Kerry (Carroll), Ben and wife, Holly Lorinser, Mark and partner, Heather Hanawalt; grandchildren, Paul Petersen and wife, Heather (Markley), Diane (Petersen) and husband, Matt Schline, Kevin Petersen and wife, Julie Shuster, Lindsey, Hannah and Eliot Barnhart, Jeffrey Carroll and wife, Cristina (Martinho), Matthew Carroll and wife, Elisabeth (Gallen), Drew Carroll and wife, Maria (Comé), Jenna Carroll, Oliviah, Mason, Cooper, and Avery Barnhart; great-grandchildren, Owen and Wyatt Petersen, Landon, Blake and Graham Schline, Ella and Lucy Barnhart-Ludwig, and Sophia Carroll.

The Barnhart family would like to express their deep appreciation for the warmth and compassion of the Antioch Church of the Brethren community and friends, Sarah and Hannah Denton, Toni Stump, and Michelle Boyd, and for the dedication and hard work of Good Samaritan Hospice and their staff, Amber Naff, Sandra Booth and Chelsea Hall.

A memorial service will be held at Antioch Church of Brethren, Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Hunger Auction or an environmental cause of your choice. Checks may be made out to World Hunger Auction and sent to Antioch Church of the Brethren, 2996 Callaway Road, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.