Funeral services for Clayton Russell "Rusty" Barnett were held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Clarke-Venable Baptist Church. Rev. Mark Vincent officiated. Burial followed in Pine Bluff Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Newton County Funeral Home.
Mr. Barnett, age 76, and a resident of Decatur, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson.
Rusty was a 1965 graduate of Decatur High School, where he was chosen "Friendliest Boy", and he excelled in football and baseball. He continued his education at East Central Junior College, where he received a scholarship for football and baseball. After East Central, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969. He went on to earn a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 1974.
Rusty worked with the Department of Human Services for 25 years, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians for 10 years, as well as, served on the faculty in the School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi. He served as President of the Mississippi Conference on Social Welfare and was appointed as the first ever Chair of the Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists.
He was an active member of the Mississippi Army National Guard from 1969-1975. He was a faithful member of Clarke-Venable Baptist Church where he served as assistant Sunday School Teacher for the third and fourth grade class. Rusty also faithfully served the Lord for over 30 years as a director in the Sunday School Department.
He was preceded in death by his father, Rudolph Barnett and his mother, Reba Wilkerson Barnett, and his brother-in-law and dear friend, Nicky Parkes.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 56 years, Bettye Gardner Barnett of Decatur; son, Clay Barnett (Christy) of Hattiesburg; daughter, Kristen Butler (Gary) of Starkville; grandchildren, Andy Barnett of Gulfport, Dylan Barnett of Decatur, Caleb Butler of Starkville, Clayton Butler of Starkville, Maggie Butler of Starkville and Gareth Butler of Starkville; and honorary granddaughter, Ashlynn Tillman of Gulfport; step grandchildren, Micah Thornton, Noah Thornton, and Claire Thornton, all of Hattiesburg; one brother, Jerry Barnett of Pearl; nieces, Gaye Sebren and Melissa Comans, both of Pearl; one sister-in-law, Brenda Parkes of Decatur; niece Brandi Baucum (Jamie) and their children, Kayla and Tate, all of Newton; nephew, Jade Parkes (Stacy) and their children, Noah and Hope, all of Decatur.
Serving as pallbearers were Andy Barnett, Dylan Barnett, Caleb Butler, Clayton Butler, Jade Parkes, Jamie Baucum, Tate Baucum, and Gareth Butler.
Honorary pallbearers were his Decatur Country Club Golfing Buddies, the Decatur High School Class of 1965, and his Friends and Colleagues of the Social Work Profession.
Visitation was Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 9:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. at Clarke-Venable Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Clarke-Venable Baptist Church JOY Ministry.
Newton County Funeral Home, 9998 Hwy. 15N., served the Barnett family.
An online guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.newtoncountyfuneralhome.com.
Paid Obituary
