Fallen Hero: Former Staff Sergeant Clayton Russell “Rusty” Barnett

Decatur

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Funeral Home

Newton County Funeral Home

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Obituary

https://www.newtoncountyfuneralhome.com/obituary/clayton-barnett

Clayton Russell “Rusty” Barnett, age 76, and a resident of Decatur, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 9:00 am until 10:45 am at Clarke-Venable Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 11:00 am at Clarke-Venable Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Pine Bluff Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Newton County Funeral Home.

Rev. Mark Vincent will officiate.

Rusty was a 1965 graduate of Decatur High School, where he was chosen “Friendliest Boy”, and he excelled in football and baseball. He continued his education at East Central Junior College, where he received a scholarship for football and baseball. After East Central, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969. He went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 1974.

Rusty worked with the Department of Human Services for 25 years, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians for 10 years, as well as, served on the faculty in the School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi. He served as President of the Mississippi Conference on Social Welfare and was appointed as the first ever Chair of the Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists.

He was an active member of the Mississippi Army National Guard from 1969-1975. He was a faithful member of Clarke-Venable Baptist Church where he served as assistant Sunday School Teacher for the third and fourth grade class. Rusty also faithfully served the Lord for over 30 years as a director in the Sunday School Department.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rudolph Barnett and his mother, Reba Wilkerson Barnett, and brother-in-law and dear friend, Nicky Parkes.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 56 years, Bettye Gardner Barnett of Decatur; son, Clay Barnett (Christy) of Hattiesburg; daughter, Kristen Butler (Gary) of Starkville; grandchildren, Andy Barnett of Gulfport, Dylan Barnett of Decatur, Caleb Butler of Starkville, Clayton Butler of Starkville, Maggie Butler of Starkville and Gareth Butler of Starkville; and honorary granddaughter, Ashlynn Tillman of Gulfport; step grandchildren, Micah Thornton, Noah Thornton, and Claire Thornton, all of Hattiesburg; one brother, Jerry Barnett, nieces, Gaye Sebren and Melissa Comans, all of Pearl; one sister-in-law, Brenda Parkes of Decatur, niece, Brandi Baucum (Jamie), children, Kayla and Tate, all of Newton; nephew, Jade Parkes (Stacy), children, Noah and Hope, all of Decatur.

Pallbearers will be Andy Barnett, Dylan Barnett, Caleb Butler, Clayton Butler, Jade Parkes, Jamie Baucum, Tate Baucum, and Gareth Butler.

Honorary pallbearers will be his Decatur Country Club Golfing Buddies, the Decatur High School Class of 1965, and his Friends and Colleagues of the Social Work Profession.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Clarke-Venable Baptist Church JOY Ministry.

Newton County Funeral Home – North, 9998 Hwy. 15 N., Newton, is in charge of arrangements.