Hays West Barnett Obituary (1924

Hays West Barnett, 89, of Russellville, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family at his home on Saturday, September 28, 2013. The son of Robert Foster and Tempie West Barnett, he was born April 12, 1924 in the Center Valley community. He was a 1942 graduate of Russellville High School. He and Jean Evelyn Hanks were married on December 25, 1944 at Morrilton. He was a United States Army Veteran of World War II. Following the war, Hays worked at Newton's Pharmacy, Hunt-Walden Clothing Store, and the Sears Catalog Store. He was a Rural Letter Carrier with U.S. Postal Service for 28 years. Starting in 1958, he carried letters for all of the Russellville Routes until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Russellville Masonic Lodge, #274, member of Shriners International, and a past president of the Central Arkansas Shrine. He and Jean were ardent supporters of Arkansas Tech University and were members of the Green and Gold Club; past president of the Russellville High Athletic Boosters Club and member of the RHS Band Boosters. He was a member and past president Russellville Jaycee and Chairman of the Pope County Democratic Party. Hays was a member of the Riggs-Hamilton Post of the American Legion, the Rogers-Rye Post, #2283 of the VFW and the River Valley Squares. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he member of the P.K. Merrill Sunday School Class and the church choir. He was preceded by his parents and an infant brother. He is survived by his wife, Jean Barnett, Russellville; a daughter, Ann Barnett Deal (John), Russellville; son, Robert Barnett (Janice), Russellville; 4 grandchildren, Holly Mays (Doug), Satellite Beach, FL, Amy Franz (MSG John), Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, Jess Barnett, Russellville, Colby Barnett, Russellville; great granddaughter, Lana LaBatt, Satellite Beach, FL; many cousins and friends. Memorial Service will be held at 1:00PM, Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at First United Methodist Church with Rev Gail Brooks officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Burial will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday at Old Baptist Cemetery in Russellville, by Humphrey Funeral Service with full military honors provided by the Rogers-Rye Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 304 S. Commerce Russellville, AR 72801, or Arkansas Tech Golden Suns, Foundation Attn: Golden Suns 8820 Tech Lane Russellville, AR 72801. PDF Printable Version