Melvin Ray Barnett, 78, passed away at his home on Sunday, May 28, 2017. He was born in Joplin, MO and was the son of the late Alfred and Viola May Barnett. He retired from the U.S,. Navy with 20 years of service and served the city of Salem in the Sheriffs Office for 20 years and retired in 1995. He was a member of Grace Bible Church, Botetourt Masonic Lodge #7 AF&AM, the Royal Arch, Knight Templar,. He also served as District Deputy Grand Master. He was an avid woodworker.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia N. Barnett, his daughter Patricia Lynn Clark and her husband Barry, and David Ray Barnett and his wife Heather, sister Norma Jean and Eddie, half sister Vicky, grandchildren Daniel, James, Jacob, Jerrad, and Cody, a great grandchild Anthony, and a special cousin Lloyd Wilson.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 11:00 am in Grace Bible Church. Burial with Masonic rites and military honors will be in Windsor Gardens Cemetery, Dutton, Va. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Bible Church, PO Box 82, Ark, Va. 23003. Andrews Funeral home & Crematory, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.