Mary Jo Barnwell

Mrs. Mary Jo Barnwell, 100, of Smokey Creek Road, Lenoir, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 11, 2010, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Barnwell was born in Burke County on January 5, 1910 to the late Joseph Edgar Baker and Sorelda McCall Baker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore F. Barnwell, a son-in-law, William F. (Pete) Nichols, a granddaughter, Dawn White, four brothers, Bayne, Knox, Hogan and Boyd Baker, four sisters, Johnsie Shotwell, Dorothy Beane, Louise Hollar and Iris Baker.

She is survived by her six children, Mildred Nichols, Sue White and husband Russell, Jean Barrier and husband Gene, Roy Barnwell and wife Sandra, Emily Craig and husband Bill and Wayne Barnwell and wife Margaret. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren, and one sister-in-law, Clara Smith.

She was a lifelong member of North Catawba Baptist Church where she served in many areas of Sunday School, Church Training, Missionary organizations, Vacation Bible School, children’s worship, and committees. She was an excellent seamstress and cook. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed helping others during her 100 years and 9 months of life.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 3:00 pm at North Catawba Baptist Church with the Reverend Sam Craven, Reverend Ned Webb and Reverend John Barnhardt officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30 pm until 3:00 pm prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Barnwell, Alan Nichols, Josh Craig, Stephen Triplett, Bob King and Kennith Craig.

The family requests that memorials be made to Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645. Flowers will be accepted and appreciated.

Pendry’s Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the Barnwell family.