Lillie Dale Barnett

The Life and Legacy of Lillie Dale Barnett

Lillie Dale Barnett was born to the union of Willie Mae & Roy Williams on a cold winter day on January 15, 1937, in Bastrop, TX. She was the second of four children.

She professed her faith in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Lone Star Baptist Church and later joined Mount Rose Baptist Church with her husband Reverend S.L Barnett. She eventually joined Macedonia Baptist Church, where she served as a dedicated Member. She knew the Lord and was a faithful servant and member. Sister Lillie received her formal education from Emile High School, where she played basketball and was a member of the band as a drum major. She later attended Wiley Jr College, where she pursued a degree in business. She met her loving husband and long-time companion, Sammie Barnett, in Bastrop and was married for over 60 years. To this union, eight children were born.

Sister Lillie Barnett was a true woman of God who walked by faith. You could always find Lillie at her church, decorating, cleaning, and beautifying GOD’s house. Her motto is, “If your house looks nice and clean, surely GOD’s house should be superior.” Lillie spent her time writing her plan of work for the church at the beginning of the year. The look on Lillie’s face while she worked for the Lord was sheer Joy. A mission sister once said, “Lillie told us what to do, and we did it.” She was strong in her faith and wasn’t afraid to share with anyone who would listen. She instilled the importance of the Lord in her children at an early age. She was dedicated to the church as a choir president, Sunday School teacher, church clerk, and Mission President at Macedonia. In addition, she served as St. John’s Sunday School Secretary and Mission II President of a foreign mission. She also organized Lone Star’s Mission II and started the Bastrop Sub District every 2nd Saturday that prevails today. Lillie was a faithful servant member of Macedonia Baptist Church until the Lord called her home.

Lillie Dale was no stranger to hard work. She started her career as a medical clerk for Bastrop Nursing Home, where she loved assisting the elderly. After the birth of her grandchildren, she later transitioned to education, where she served as a cafeteria supervisor for Bastrop Intermediate School. She was overjoyed watching children grow through the years and took pride in assisting children who were less fortunate. She adored the ladies she worked with and later retired from BISD in 1999. After retirement, she took pride in watching her grandchildren grow and excel. There are many words to describe Sister Lillie Barnett. The words that quickly come to mind are hard-working, kind-hearted, affectionate smile, gentle spirit, hilarious, thoughtful, dressed to impress, and legendary. She was no stranger offering her home to the friends of her children as she felt children always needed a loving home to thrive.

Lillie Dale was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and grandmother who loved her husband, children, bonus children, and grand and great-grandchildren. She showered them with love, was present for every important event, ALL her grandchildren’s birth, sporting events, and graduations, and was always there to listen and provide guidance. She had a way of making everyone feel special by greeting them with a smile and always complimenting their looks. Her favorite saying, “get yourself together and put some lipstick on. You never know who you will meet.”

On the early morning of May 12, 2024, Sister Lillie Dale. Barnett was called into Eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her memories, five daughters, Pamela Barnett, Austin, TX; Patricia (David) Hastings, Phyllis (Terence) White, both of Bastrop, TX; Perthressia (Michael) Monthey, Adel, IA; Penny (Christopher) Carter, Round Rock, TX; one son, Pernell (Toni) Barnett, Austin, TX, and a granddaughter who was raised like a daughter, Shamiya Falke (Pinkie). Six bonus children she cherished dearly. One brother, Elroy Williams, Cedar Creek, TX; first cousin raised as a sister, Myrtle Alexander, Cedar Creek, TX; and sister-in-law, Lois Barnett, Dallas, TX. Her beloved grandchildren: Shamiya, Paige, Kadeem, Raven, Jacobi, Stephanie, Pernadra, Casey, Preshell, Kryshona, Julien, Alexis, Carrington, Pershanna, Elijah, Peniah, and Lana, Thirteen great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Sister Lillie Dale Barnett is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. S.L Barnett; Mother and Father, Willie Mae & Roy Williams; Siblings, Donald Ray Williams and Sue Ann Hyder; and two beloved sons, Preston Barnett & Patrick Barnett.

Sister Lillie Dale Barnett will truly be missed for the wisdom provided and her loving personality. If you knew Sister Lillie Dale, she left an impact on you, and her work and life will live on for years to come. Sister Lillie, JOB WELL DONE!

Lillie Barnett, of Bastrop, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday morning, May 12, 2024.  She will lie In-State at Elgin Funeral Home on Friday, May 17th from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM.  Family and Friends will gather for a Visitation at Providence District Primitive Baptist Tabernacle of Cedar Creek on Saturday, May 18th from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.  A Home-Going Celebration will follow at 11:00 AM with Pastors Eric Tarver and Michael Simms presiding.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.