Bom-Wrapper
Obituary for Margaret B Barnett
Barnett, Margaret B. (Gilbert), 87, of Port Republic, the Matriarch of the Barnett Family, went home to rest in the shadow of the Almighty, on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2016, surrounded by her family singing her favorite hymns. Though we mourn her absence, we praise God that she is in the presence of her Refuge and Strength. Her obituary is best suited for this list of “Top Ten Qualities of Her Beautiful Life”:
10. Margaret was born on October 14, 1928, to a beautiful heritage to Anna (Custalow) and William Gilbert. Margaret’s grandfather, Chief George “Thundercloud” Custalow, was head of the Mattaponi Tribe of West Point, Va. As a descendant of Pocahontas, Margaret was proud of her heritage.
9. Her life was blessed with a love story worthy of a best selling novel. She met her handsome Navy man, Jim, when she was only 17. He outplayed another suitor on the guitar to win her heart. They were married for 48 years before his passing. They loved to sing and play hymns together.
8. She unconditionally loved her children. Her heart was big enough for 11 children, including 2 sets of twins. Margaret and Jim even took in other children needing care and always had grandchildren in the house too.
7. She always persevered and didn’t take “No!” for an answer! Her unyielding persistence literally saved two of her children’s lives. She never gave up on anyone!
6. She was a true Renaissance Woman with many skills such as being a talented self-taught musician who played many instruments-she especially loved her organ; she sang beautifully; was a gifted artist; a master carpenter; a seamstress; a great cook; she enjoyed photography-especially of nature; fishing with her husband; and could shoot a gun with precision. Anything she did was with all her heart!
5. She loved God’s handiwork in nature and traveled to see it, packing up the station wagon with a bunch of kids on cross-country trips. She taught her family to appreciate a sunset, the grandeur of a mountain, and even the hidden beauty of a dead tree all of which she loved to paint and photograph.
4. She loved family gatherings especially hearing her children sing and play musical instruments together and cultivated their love of music. She made great roast beef dinners on Sundays. Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings along with the Barnett Summer Olympics, family softball games, and reunions were her favorites.
3. She was always smiling. From the smile that stole her true love’s heart to the smile that inspired the doctors and nurses caring for her despite any pain, she always smiled.
2. She was strong: She took down grandkids over 6ft tall in thumb wars and tickle fights, even into her 80’s. You couldn’t wiggle your way out of her hug until she was ready to release you. She was beyond strong in facing difficulties that came her way. She survived a stroke, open-heart surgery, the death of her husband, two children, and a grandchild and other difficulties. She encouraged several of her children during life-threatening illnesses with faith and many nights on her knees in prayer.
1. Her unwavering faith is the most influential aspect of her life. She lived each day trusting God in all things. Psalm 91 was her favorite scripture. She always wrote it in cards and even on the back of her shoes to solicit conversation that pointed to Jesus. She was an amazing woman of God and great is her reward in heaven. If you need encouragement, read Psalm 91.
Margaret was predeceased by her parents, her husband James D. Barnett Sr., her son, James D. Barnett Jr., her daughter, Sharon Higbee, and her grandson, Poa Labelle. She is survived by her sister, Ethel Sadler of Largo, Fla., and by her big family including 9 children: John Barnett (Marge) of Moravian Falls, N.C., Margie Foster (Bill) of Galloway, NJ, Dolores Dill (Danny) of Lincoln, ME, Debbie Gallegos (Charlie) of Galloway, NJ, Robin LaBelle of Wolf Point, Mont., Melanie Champion (Paul) of Port Republic, NJ, Pamela Kellum (Dave) of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, Michael Barnett (Debbie) of Galloway, NJ, and Patti Wythe (Scott) of Port Republic, NJ. 30 grandchildren, 74 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law, Rosemarie Weber of Bristol, Pa, also survive her. Special thanks to Margaret’s favorite doctors, Dr. Kasper and Dr. Dib and to Holy Redeemer Hospice for the comforting care extended to Margaret.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 11:00am at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road, Northfield. A viewing will be held from 9:00am until the time of the service. Interment will be held in Port Republic Cemetery, Port Republic.
Arrangements entrusted to and condolences may be left for her family at: adams-perfect.com
10. Margaret was born on October 14, 1928, to a beautiful heritage to Anna (Custalow) and William Gilbert. Margaret’s grandfather, Chief George “Thundercloud” Custalow, was head of the Mattaponi Tribe of West Point, Va. As a descendant of Pocahontas, Margaret was proud of her heritage.
9. Her life was blessed with a love story worthy of a best selling novel. She met her handsome Navy man, Jim, when she was only 17. He outplayed another suitor on the guitar to win her heart. They were married for 48 years before his passing. They loved to sing and play hymns together.
8. She unconditionally loved her children. Her heart was big enough for 11 children, including 2 sets of twins. Margaret and Jim even took in other children needing care and always had grandchildren in the house too.
7. She always persevered and didn’t take “No!” for an answer! Her unyielding persistence literally saved two of her children’s lives. She never gave up on anyone!
6. She was a true Renaissance Woman with many skills such as being a talented self-taught musician who played many instruments-she especially loved her organ; she sang beautifully; was a gifted artist; a master carpenter; a seamstress; a great cook; she enjoyed photography-especially of nature; fishing with her husband; and could shoot a gun with precision. Anything she did was with all her heart!
5. She loved God’s handiwork in nature and traveled to see it, packing up the station wagon with a bunch of kids on cross-country trips. She taught her family to appreciate a sunset, the grandeur of a mountain, and even the hidden beauty of a dead tree all of which she loved to paint and photograph.
4. She loved family gatherings especially hearing her children sing and play musical instruments together and cultivated their love of music. She made great roast beef dinners on Sundays. Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings along with the Barnett Summer Olympics, family softball games, and reunions were her favorites.
3. She was always smiling. From the smile that stole her true love’s heart to the smile that inspired the doctors and nurses caring for her despite any pain, she always smiled.
2. She was strong: She took down grandkids over 6ft tall in thumb wars and tickle fights, even into her 80’s. You couldn’t wiggle your way out of her hug until she was ready to release you. She was beyond strong in facing difficulties that came her way. She survived a stroke, open-heart surgery, the death of her husband, two children, and a grandchild and other difficulties. She encouraged several of her children during life-threatening illnesses with faith and many nights on her knees in prayer.
1. Her unwavering faith is the most influential aspect of her life. She lived each day trusting God in all things. Psalm 91 was her favorite scripture. She always wrote it in cards and even on the back of her shoes to solicit conversation that pointed to Jesus. She was an amazing woman of God and great is her reward in heaven. If you need encouragement, read Psalm 91.
Margaret was predeceased by her parents, her husband James D. Barnett Sr., her son, James D. Barnett Jr., her daughter, Sharon Higbee, and her grandson, Poa Labelle. She is survived by her sister, Ethel Sadler of Largo, Fla., and by her big family including 9 children: John Barnett (Marge) of Moravian Falls, N.C., Margie Foster (Bill) of Galloway, NJ, Dolores Dill (Danny) of Lincoln, ME, Debbie Gallegos (Charlie) of Galloway, NJ, Robin LaBelle of Wolf Point, Mont., Melanie Champion (Paul) of Port Republic, NJ, Pamela Kellum (Dave) of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, Michael Barnett (Debbie) of Galloway, NJ, and Patti Wythe (Scott) of Port Republic, NJ. 30 grandchildren, 74 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law, Rosemarie Weber of Bristol, Pa, also survive her. Special thanks to Margaret’s favorite doctors, Dr. Kasper and Dr. Dib and to Holy Redeemer Hospice for the comforting care extended to Margaret.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 11:00am at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road, Northfield. A viewing will be held from 9:00am until the time of the service. Interment will be held in Port Republic Cemetery, Port Republic.
Arrangements entrusted to and condolences may be left for her family at: adams-perfect.com
1650 New Road Northfield
NJ
08225 Phone: (609-641-0065