Paulette Gibson Chappell Barnett

Paulette Gibson Chappell Barnett, age 80, of Fallston, Maryland passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Beloved wife of 58 years to Ira Martin Barnett; devoted mother of Lisa D. Barnett and her husband Bruce Bruning of Richmond, Va, and the late Michael T. Barnett and his surviving former wife Julie Barnett; loving grandmother of Jacob Barnett, Matthew Bruning, and Davis Bruning; dear sister of Norma Faye Irvine and her husband Dr. David Irvine of Henderson, NC (and her niece and nephews, Allison Dluzneski, Robert Irvine and David Irvine, Jr. whom she loved as her own children), Bruce Chappell of Jacksonville, FL, Keith Chappell and his wife Betsy of New Bern, NC, and the late Timothy Chappell.

Paulette was born on December 11, 1944 in Henderson, North Carolina to Vashtie Pearce Chappell and Montie Bruce Chappell. She grew up in Henderson N.C. and attended Henderson High School. In high school, Paulette was a star basketball player and a state essay contest winner. Paulette attended Greensboro College and graduated with a degree in English literature. It was there that she met Ira Martin Barnett. The two were together for 61 years and married for 58 years.

Paulette worked as an English teacher for a number of years. Much to her children’s chagrin, she was a lover of good grammar, always ready with a necessary correction. Paulette was an avid reader and a beautiful writer. Her birthday cards were legendary and now a precious keepsake. She was a lover of quotes, collecting them, posting them around the house and using them judiciously to underscore an important point. She inspired many to tap into their artistic creativity. Paulette was an intellectual powerhouse, always learning and always ready to engage.

Paulette was a competitor and athlete to the core. The intensity and hilarity in which she played board games will be missed by her family. She loved playing charades, password, Word Sweep with her grandson, Matthew, corn hole and many more. She purchased a new game each year for Christmas for the family. But her athleticism and competitiveness reached soaring heights when she and her tennis team won the 2008 USTA National Doubles Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 64.

Paulette was a creative force. Her birthday towers, theme-based birthdays, unmatched Christmas decorations with multiple theme-based trees throughout the house creating a winter wonderland, and her over-the-top graduations and celebrations, were magazine-worthy. Her creativity extended to her culinary skills, where she wowed everyone with her dishes and desserts. And yet, she reserved all of this for her family and friends only.

The most important thing to Paulette was family. A loving wife to Ira, she supported his career with Sears and the many moves that took the family up and down the east coast. She was actively involved in her children’s lives serving as a Webelos leader, Girl Scout leader, and volunteer for many school activities. She transferred her love of music to her children getting them involved with the school band and working at night to buy her daughter her first piano. But the crowning jewel in a lifetime of achievement and selflessness was her role as grandmother. Paulette devoted the last 25 years of her life to her three grandsons and was an unparalleled grandmother.

Paulette was selfless at her essence, always there to help family and friends in their time of need, always there to truly listen and always there to help pick up the pieces in challenging times. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend who lived for others and made them the center of her life. She will be deeply missed and remembered by all.

“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” - Maya Angelou

A memorial service to celebrate Paulette’s life will be held on Saturday, May 31 at the First United Methodist Church 114 Church Street, Henderson, NC 27536

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choosing in Paulette’s honor. Please also feel free to share your favorite quote or a quote that reminds you of Paulette in her honor below.