Phyllis M. Barnett, 83, of Charlotte, N.C., passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Summit Place of South Park in Charlotte.
Born on October 20, 1942, in Fayetteville, Phyllis was the youngest of five children of James Darrell McFarland and Meta Florence Etres. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1964 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.
It was during her time at the university that she met her husband, Ortus Webb (O.W.) Barnett Jr., at the Baptist Student Union. Together, they built a life filled with love and adventure, raising their family in Clemson, S.C., and spending years abroad in Scotland and Australia before eventually settling in Raleigh, N.C.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years, O.W. Barnett Jr.; her sisters Terry Kimbrough of Fayetteville, and Judith Corkill of Austin, Texas; and her brothers Darrel E. McFarland of Fayetteville, and Charles M. McFarland of Spokane, Wash. She is survived by her children: Craig Barnett and his wife Blanka of Boone, N.C.; Jeffrey Barnett and his wife Jill Scheidt of Charlotte, N.C.; Bryan Barnett of Bedford, Mass.; and three cherished grandchildren: Alexandra, Eli, and Sedona.
Throughout her life, Phyllis was deeply involved in her community and the Baptist Church. At First Baptist Church of Clemson, she taught children’s Sunday School, sang in the choir, and played in the handbell choir. Later at First Baptist Church Raleigh (Salisbury St), she dedicated herself to the clothing ministry and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. Phyllis also gave her time to local libraries and civic organizations. Known as the heart of her family, she created a warm home where loved ones gathered for home-cooked meals and hand-churned ice cream.
Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels at https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/donate/.
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—Published by The News & Observer from June 26 to June 29, 2026.