Lorraine Freeman Barnett

Lorraine (Rene) Freeman Barnett has reunited with her husband and daughter in the House of the Lord. She died peacefully at Angels for the Elderly in Montgomery, Alabama, on February 1, 2020. She was born May 23, 1921, in Birmingham, Alabama. She was preceded in death by both parents, Dewey H Freeman and Albertine Bodin Dreher, her husband Zell Gaston Barnett, her daughter Deborah Ann Barnett Brown, a brother Dewey (Dick) Freeman, and nanny housekeeper Willie Mae Thornton (GaGa). She is survived by three sons: Zelle Randall Barnett of Montgomery, Alabama; Jonathan Clay Barnett (Cathie Waller Barnett) of Cypress, Texas; and Joel David Barnett (Tina L Barnett) of Millbrook, Alabama; and one daughter-in-law Irene Pearson-Morrow of Montgomery, Alabama. She is also survived by nine grandchildren Zell Jason Barnett (Allison Barnett), Amy Brown Hixson (Andy Hixson), Andrew Barry Brown, Ashley Pearson Barnett Wolf (Whitney Wolf), Emily Anne Barnett Roberts (Charlie Roberts), Jonathan Zell Barnett (Mary Beth Barnett), Allyson Taylor Barnett Harper (Austin Harper), Michael Bradford Barnett, and Madison Michelle Barnett and fifteen great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. While her husband, a B-17 pilot was shot down and missing in action during World War II, she joined in the fight as a Seaman 2nd Class with the Coast Guard (SPARS). Through the grace of God, she found out he was still alive, and he eventually returned to her seven months later. She along with her husband helped build and were founding members of the original St. James Church of Montgomery located on S. Court St & E. Edgemont Ave. She graduated from Huntingdon College Montgomery, Alabama, in 1954. She retired in February of 1985 after 25 years of service, first with Alabama Medicaid Agency as an Eligibility worker, and later as Supervisor, before moving to Medicaid Quality Control and becoming the MQC Director for the State. After retirement, she was very active in the Pintlala Historical Association, a member of the ADY Club, the Pilgrim Singers at Pintlala Baptist Church, a substitute teacher at Pintlala School, and volunteer librarian at the Pintlala Library. Services will be held at Prattville Memorial Chapel & Memory Garden, 841 Fairview Avenue, Prattville, AL 36066 on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Visitation at 12 PM, celebration of life service 1 PM, and graveside service at Wilsonville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pintlala Volunteer Fire Department, 272 Federal Road, Hope Hull, AL 36043.

Lorraine Freeman Barnett

May 23, 1921 - February 1, 2020