Sara Barnette

Sara R. Barnette, age 98 of Cottondale, passed away on Friday, March 17th, 2023. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 21st, from 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. at Alberta Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa Alabama. Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with burial following at Tuscaloosa Mem. Park Cemetery.  

Sara Edna Ray was born June 18, 1924 in Ralph, Alabama. She graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School, attended Business College, then became a legal secretary at a law firm in downtown Tuscaloosa. She married Edward Colvin Barnette in 1945, and then remained home to raise four children. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before his passing.

The granddaughter of a Baptist minister, Sara began her lifelong church service at Bethel Baptist Church. Once moving to Tuscaloosa, she joined Alberta Baptist Church where she was a member for over 75 years. She taught Sunday School, GA’s, Vacation Bible School, helped in the nursery, prepared choir meals, and served on various committees. She lived a quiet Godly life with a servant’s heart; never wanting attention, but gently leading by example. The focus of her life was her family and her faith. She prayed every day for each of her children.

Hanging over the kitchen sink is one of her favorite Bible verses, “This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” Psalm 118:24. She heard her mother say this daily and then incorporated it into her own daily declaration. And rejoice she did! She was truly an optimistic woman who saw the best in everyone and in every situation. Always ready with a smile and hearty laugh, you never saw her down or heard her complain. She would frequently get tickled and couldn’t stop laughing which then left everyone in stitches. How healing and encouraging these laughing sessions were as they became an integral part of her family’s life!

Sara could be found at all of her children’s events, and was their biggest fan. Whether it was sports, academics, or trips, she was always there. Constantly preparing full home-cooked meals three times a day and fresh-baked desserts, kept her busy, but there was always family time around the dinner table. Through it all she remained physically active and into her 80’s could still touch her toes placing palms to the floor.

Always a trouper, she was ready to go on a moment’s notice, with fun and good food on the agenda. Most years included a family summer trip to the beach for her birthday; her 90th birthday included floating down the lazy river and walking on the beach. Each day was a celebration of life! Each day was filled with life lessons to remember today and pass on to future generations. The joy of the Lord truly was her strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and she made sure she instilled this in her children.

We, her children, received the biggest blessing by knowing and being raised by her. In the words of Proverbs 31, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”

Thank you mom, we love you.