OBITS - Incomplete obituaries are marked with a *
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Lillie Haney Barnett
May 29, 2012
May 29, 2012
Lillie Haney Barnett, 87, of Athens, died Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Athens Regional Medical Center.
A native and lifelong resident of Athens, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Martin and Dora Curtis Haney. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Boston \"J.B.\" Barnett, on June 19, 1979; three sisters, Althea H. Everett, Erma H. Moses McCall and Ruth H. Isbill; one brother, Earl Haney; and one son-in-law, Charlie Forrest.
She, along with her late husband, operated J.B. Barnett Construction, where they built hundreds of houses in the Athens area and established several subdivisions, including Tellico Hills. They built one of Athens\' first modern day strip centers in 1961, on West Madison Avenue, and operated the first coin laundry in the city.
She was active in several civic organizations, including being a 50-year member and past Worthy Matron of Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 159. She was a former member and past president of the Athens Pilot Club, a volunteer for many years as a Gray Lady at Epperson Hospital and was a member of the Athens Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.
She was an avid sports fan, loving to cheer on the Vols and play the game of golf. She was a five-time Springbrook Golf & Country Club\'s Ladies Club Champion. She was also a longtime member of East Athens Baptist Church, where she attended the Caregivers Sunday School Class.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Bob Foster of Athens; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Darril and Mary Barnett of Sandy Springs, Ga., and Don Barnett of Athens; one daughter-in-law, Patty Barnett Snyder; five grandchildren and their spouses, Chuck and Jana Forrest and Scott Forrest, all of Athens, Merideth Kelley and Matt Sasser and Barrett Barnett, all of Sandy Springs, Ga., and Ben and Melissa Barnett of Knoxville; five great-grandchildren and their spouses, Tyler and Emily Forrest, Kelsey Anne Forrest, Julia Forrest, Savannah-Kate Sasser and Grant Sasser; one great-grandson on the way, Graham Slater Barnett; and a host of very special nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Tyler Forrest officiating. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at McMinn Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231-9986; or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Faye Forgety, 120 County Road 447, Athens, TN 37303.
Those unable to attend may send condolences to www.laycock-hobbs.com
Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.
