Obituary: Joyce E. Withers Barnett


January 28, 1931 – August 12, 2023

Joyce E. Withers Barnett, 92, of Bedford, passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

Born January 28, 1931, she was the daughter of John Withers and Wilma (Shipman) Sanford. She married Menlo J. Barnett on February 23, 1949, and he preceded her in death on March 6, 2001. She was a graduate of Mitchell High School with the class of 1949.

She was a homemaker and helpmate to her husband as he pastored at several Southern Indiana American Baptist Churches including Burns City, Livonia, White River (Buddah), Mt. Horab (Orleans), West Baden, and Rikers Ridge (Madison).

After retirement, they returned to Lawrence Co., to make their home in Bedford and became members of the Bedford First Baptist Church.

Survivors include sons, Robert M. (Barbara) Barnett, of Bedford, and Danny D. (Karen) Barnett, of Spencer; a daughter, Karen A. (James) Newlin, of Campbellsburg; grandchildren, Eric (Shannon) Barnett, Chris Barnett, Brandon (Tanya) Barnett, Jennifer (Gary) Baker, Travis Butcher, Randy (Katie) Butcher, Janson (Joy) Elmore; great-grandchildren, Chelsie (Joe) Keith, Chaz Barnett, Gavin Barnett, Christopher Barnett, Kirsten
(Kyle) Massey, Kaylee (Caleb Andrews) Baker, Kaleb (Luci) Baker, Kortni Baker, Trenton Butcher, Davis Butcher, Kohl Fox, Jacob Elmore, and Coda Barger; great-great-grandchildren, Lilianna Barnett, River Keith, Evelyn and Nova Massey; nephews, Rick (Karen) Murr and Scott (Diana) Cummins; a sister-in-law, Helen Barnett.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Menlo J. Barnett; her father, John Withers, her mother
and step-father, Wilma, and Harry Sanford; a brother, Robert Withers; a sister, Donna; a granddaughter, Lori Ann Barnett and a nephew, Roy “Bud” Murr.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 17th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Pastors Jason Filler and Lee Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the Mitchell Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16th, and from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service on Thursday, at the Day & Carter Mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joyce’s memory to the First Baptist Church.

Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.