In 1925, Zannie Moore met and married Zuelma Jashow. They were blessed with 11 children, one of whom was Birdie Lee Moore. July 13, 1930, was the official date of birth, official because Mrs. Birdie was one of the few people that had two birthdays. Because she was born of a midwife she celebrated June 13 and July 13 each year. Birdie Barnett began singing for the LORD at a very early age. Raised with her loving mother and her grandmother, affectionately known as “Mama Dovie,” she was exposed to a home where the spirit of GOD reigned and abided; she heard gospel music and songs every day and began to have a passion for singing. She was an active young child growing up in her small country town and church. GOD began to open doors for her, enabling her to use her angelic voice to sing songs of Zion, and this allowed her to headline gospel concerts as early as age nine. At the age of twelve, she was recognized by the President of the American Insurance Company, Mr. Allen in Texarkana. He was so impressed by this little girl with the great big voice. It became a known fact that everywhere the chorus travelled, the singing sensation, little Birdie, was going to lead a song called “GOD Leads HIS Dear Children Along.” She was known around the cities, great and small as a young anointed powerhouse. She was married for a short time to Nard Strong who preceded her in death. Birdie has traveled for over thirty years across the country doing the work of the LORD both in ministry and in singing from the west coast of California to Kansas City. She sang from Ohio to the tropical islands of Jamaica and many cities and states in between. She has performed and conducted Gospel concerts using the talents and gifts given her by GOD to bless HIS people. In the year of 1978, she accepted her call to the ministry under Pastor Charles Martin, Sr.
In 1997, she was united in holy matrimony, with her husband, Calvis Barnett. In 2000, she served at Cornerstone Baptist Church in the Vacation Bible School, as a teacher and quite a number of other positions. This included being the founder of “Harvest Time Ministries.”
In 2001, Pastor Charles C. Martin of Union Missionary Baptist Church licensed her to preach. In 2002 she was re-certified as Reverend Birdie Barnett. She was awarded the Christian Educational Award, The National Council of Negro Women, Inc., and given the Minnie H. Goodlow Page section all in 2005. She made a record “Amazing Grace / I’m Satisfied” played here today.
Shortly later, she united with Without Walls Community Church, where Bishop Sammie Kennedy, Jr. became her Pastor. There she conducted and served in the music ministry and continued to proclaim the word of GOD. It was there she accepted the title of Evangelist, the year was 2009. She preached, taught, ministered and sang, and played the piano. She was devoted to her husband, “Pawpaw” Calvis Barnett, and her pastor, Bishop Sammy Kennedy. She loved with great affection Lady Elect Meschal Kennedy and her Without Walls Community Church family and her community. Lastly but never less, she loved her final community, Goodlife Senior Living and Memory Care Facility. A special thank-you to Gina Sprout, Calima and the entire staff who enjoyed many days listening to her play the piano and continued to preach and give GOD praise. Some of her frequent proclamations were “We better get right, and be ready to go home,” and “I love Him, I do.” She was loved so dearly. She was a true soldier in the army of the LORD. There was no one she did not love and always shared the love of GOD with everyone she met. She shared her deep love for GOD daily and with enthusiasm.
On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, Evangelist Birdie Lee Barnett was called from her Earthly Labor to her Reward in Glory. She was welcomed into her eternal home of Glory by Nard Strong; several brothers and sisters; and her devoted husband, Calvis “Pawpaw” Barnett.
She is survived by five sisters, Betty of Dallas, Texas, Laura of Nash, Texas, Mabel, Fay and Sammie of Kansas; nieces, Sandra Finley (Kevin), Lonna Gail Pitts (Courtney), Carolyn Silmon (Lee), Vickie McCoy; a nephew, Richard Wingfield (Phyllis); a host of grand nieces; an extended daughter, Ruth Love (A.C.); extended grandchildren, Julie, Andrew and Aaron; godsons, Aaron Cicero and Gregg McKinney; goddaughter, Tisha Bursey; a host of dear friends and the entire staff of Goodlife Senior Living and Memory Care Facility; Angela, Chris, Calima, Robert Johnson; her church family at Without Walls Community Church; and so many more.
