Ben T. Barnett

Benjamin Treadwell Barnett, age 90, of Prattville, died December 25, 2025, at DCH Hospital in Tuscaloosa. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30th in the Chapel of First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa with Dr. Rick Lance and Rev. Glenn Brock officiating.

Ben was born August 26, 1935, in Montgomery, AL. Upon graduation from Sidney Lanier High School in 1953, Ben attended Auburn University where he was a member of the Air Force Rifle team and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and minor in Art from Huntingdon College in Montgomery in 1958. Ben was a member of the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the Alabama Air National Guard, serving active duty during the Berlin Crisis as Staff Sergeant.

It was at Huntingdon where Ben met and fell in love with Sue Burns. Ben and Sue married in 1960 and moved to Tuscaloosa, where they raised their four daughters. Ben and Sue were married for 49 years until Sue’s passing in 2009.

Tuscaloosa is where Ben began a fifty-year career in sales with Phifer Wire Products in 1958, being promoted to President of Sales in 1968, named Chief Development Officer in 1998, president of Phifer-Korea Wire Products in 1999, and retiring in 2008 as Executive Vice President and Special Assistant to the President. Throughout his career, Ben travelled throughout the United States and to dozens of foreign nations. During this time, he was fortunate to meet U.S. Presidents, numerous dignitaries and became friends with colleagues throughout the world.

Following the loss of Sue in 2009, the Lord brought Ben together with Laurie Carlisle. Ben and Laurie were married in 2011 and for 14 years lived in Prattville and were members of the First Baptist Church of Prattville until Ben’s death.

Ben was active in the church, serving as a Sunday School teacher and Director at both Forest Lake Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa for over 30 years, where he was Deacon (Chairman and Life Deacon), Trustee member and member of numerous boards and committees. Professionally, he was a member of the American Hardware Manufacturers Association, The Old Guard Southern Hardware Salesmen’s Association, The Screen Manufacturers Association, and Insect Screen Weavers Association (President). He was an active member of Nature Conservancy of Alabama (Board member), Alabama Natural History Society, University of Alabama Museums (President, Board of Regents), UA International Advisory Board - Culverhouse College of Business, UA Denny Society, Tuscaloosa Civitan Club (President), West Alabama Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center (Chairman), Moundville Archaeological Park Advisory Committee, Judson College Board of Advisors, Tuscaloosa Community Council (President), Tuscaloosa Association for Mental Health, Chamber of Commerce for West Alabama, Tuscaloosa Chapter of Red Cross, Alabama Baptist Executive Committee (Board), The Alabama Baptist Newspaper (Chairman), and Southeastern Indian and Heritage Association.

Ben was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing trips with friends and family, collecting Indian artifacts, enjoying time at the lake, and being among nature. He restored antique cars, was a woodworker, enjoyed drawing and painting, and loved to travel. To know Ben was to know a firm handshake, a great story, a love for life and humor, and above all, a person who cared for others and the world around him. A lifelong Christian, Ben was affirmed in his belief in the love and grace of God. He lived his life with purpose and tried to be a witness of his faith. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and colleague who will be dearly missed.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents Frank Perry Barnett, Sr., Elizabeth Katherine "K.T." Treadwell Barnett, brother Frank P. Barnett Jr., and beloved first wife Nova Sue Burns Barnett. He is survived by beloved second wife Laurie Barnett, of Prattville; daughters Susan Barnett Randall and husband Dr. Kenneth of Tuscaloosa, Nova Elizabeth Barnett of Franklin, TN, Martha Perry Barnett of Tuscaloosa, Joanna Barrnett Goodman and husband Garrett of Birmingham; step-daughter Dr. Melissa Golden and husband Adam of Prattville, grandchildren Ashton Clark Bigham, Katharine Duckworth Amthor, George Walter Duckworth Jr., Benjamin Mercer Boatright, Mary Grace Boatright, Benjamin Alan Goodman, Charles Burns Goodman, great- grandchildren Caroline and Laney Bigham.

Pallbearers are Matthew Gibbs Barnett, Benjamin Mercer Boatright, Michael Joe Burns, George Walter Duckworth Jr., Garrett Alan Goodman, Yogi Kamburis, Dr. Kenneth Charles Randall, and Dr. David Donald Nelson.

Honorary pallbearers are Frank Sanford Barnett, James Reese Brooks, Wayne Hocutt, John Hogue, Mark Horvath, Dr. Paul Donald Nelson, and Milton Marcum.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Moundville Archaeological Park and First Baptist Church – Second Hand Rose Ministry, or WLBF Faith Radio.

The family wishes to extend sincere gratitude to all family, friends, doctors, and caregivers who have provided prayers, acts of kindness, and support to Ben and his family.