Rev. Matthew Theodore Barnette, Sr. departed this life on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 12:40 a.m. at the Brian Rehabilitation Center, Low Moor, Virginia, following a short illness.

Rev. Barnette was born July 12, 1935 in Clifton Forge, Virginia, a son of the late Elsie Wiley and Palmer Barnette.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Wiley and father, Palmer Barnette; two sisters, Ophelia Cooper and Odessa Coles, all from Clifton Forge, VA; four brothers, Fred Barnette, Mt. Holly, NJ; Leroy Barnette, Ralph Barnette, Vallejo, California; and Lawrence Barnette, Maryland.

Rev. Barnette was licensed to the ministry in 1984 and ordained in 1985. He served as pastor of Mt. Beulah Baptist Church, Glen Wilton, VA, Siloam Baptist Church, Millboro, VA; and Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Low Moor, VA for a total of twenty-seven years.

He is a son of Main Street Baptist Church, where he served as Junior Deacon, Deacon, Trustee, Sunday School Teacher and Choir member.

He graduated from Jefferson High School in Clifton Forge and attended the Richmond Virginia Seminary, Roanoke Extension.

He served his community as well as past moderator of Berean Valley Baptist Association; Assistant Treasurer of Covington, Clifton Forge Ministerial Association, Long Term Care member of League of Older Americans, Past President of Clifton Forge Branch of the NAACP, Advisory Board member of the Salvation Army, a past Board member of Week Day Religious Education in Botetourt County and a member of the Alleghany County Zoning Appeals Board.

Rev. Barnette leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Barnette; three sons, Matthew Jr., and Noel Anthony, Roanoke, VA, Gregory Reginald Greensboro, NC, and one daughter, Brandy Barnette Jessup, of MD; five sisters-in-law; Lillie Hughes, Shirley Mansfield (Rev. W. Ed. Mansfield), Priscilla Thomas, all of Clifton, Forge and Gloria Roland (Frank Roland) Virginia Beach, VA; Dorothy Johnson (Deceased) William Johnson- (Iron Gate, VA), Charles Thomas (New Haven, CT: Ronnie Thomas (Neesey) West Palm Beach, Florida; Norman Thomas (Roberta) Covington, VA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

A funeral service will be held at the Main Street Baptist Church in Clifton Forge on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 11 a.m.

The Serenity Funeral Home, Roanoke, Virginia, is handling the arrangements.