Ladell Clifton Barnett

Ladell C. Barnett, 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on September 27, 2014 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 82. Dell was born on October 8, 1931 to Clifton and Drusilla Green Barnett in Louise, Mississippi. He graduated from Louise High School and Mississippi State University. After completing his education he served as a Guided Missle Instructor in the United States Army at Ft. Bliss, Texas, before returning to Mississippi, where in 1964 he started an independent insurance agency, and later entered the real estate business. Friends and family will fondly remember that Dell always had a great appreciation for his childhood in the Delta, and the work ethic he learned growing up on the family farm in Louise.

Dell was involved in numerous service organizations, holding the office of President of the Jackson Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Insurance Agents of Mississippi. He joined Highland Baptist Church in Jackson in 1959 and remained a member there until his death, serving in numerous leadership capacities in the church. He enjoyed coaching the church's youth basketball league, as well as his son's baseball teams in the Jackson City Leagues on Lakeland Drive for many years. Dell was active in The Gideons International, traveling and speaking in churches across the state as long as his health allowed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters who died in childhood, Betty and Janice Barnett. He is survived by son Gary Barnett of Jackson, daughter Cindy Hall and husband Donald of Vicksburg, the mother of his children, Etta Phillips Barnett, and two brothers, Phillip Barnett of Canton, MS and Thomas Barnett of Madison, MS. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews to whom he remained close for the duration of his life.

Visitation will be Monday, September 29, 2014 from 5 to 7pm at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home, Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland, MS, and from 10:00am until 11:00am on Tuesday, September 30, followed by the funeral service at 11:00am at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home, Ridgeland, MS, officiated by Rev. Cliff Shipp. Burial will be at Straight Bayou Cemetery in Louise, Mississippi.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice Ministries of Ridgeland for the excellent care given to Dell in his last weeks. In lieu of flowers, it was Dell's wish that friends wishing to do so might make memorials to The Gideons International, PO Box 5973, Pearl, MS 39208, or to My Father's House of Freedom, Inc., PO Box 16877, Jackson, MS 39236.