Fannie Paulette Barnes

The Life and Legacy of Fannie Paulette Barnes
On Thursday, August 8, 2019, God sent His guardian angel to bring home, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to enter eternal rest.
Fannie "Paulette" Barnes was born on May 16, 1949, to the late Jesse and Vassar Smith in Flushing, NY. Paulette was educated at Copiague High School in Copiague, Long Island, New York. After graduating, she attended Suffolk Community College, where she earned her Associates Degree in Business. She began her working career in NY with Litton Industries and the United States Postal Service. Upon relocating to Raleigh, North Carolina, she was the first hire in the Raleigh City Clerk's office with Gail Smith, City Clerk, as an administrator and retired there after 31 years. After a brief sabbatical, she returned to work as an administrative professional with the Rail Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, where she would also retire after eight years of devoted service.
Paulette never met a stranger and enjoyed singing, dancing, sewing, trinket shopping and most of all, baking. She was the owner of Aunt Fannie's Pound Cakes and through her baking, shared love with many; whether she was creating a special occasion treat or wedding cake, baking was her love language.
Paulette was also known to her friends and family as a comedian. Many have fond memories of how she made them laugh with her quick wit and hilarious stories. They never ended and will never be forgotten.
Paulette loved the Lord and was a devoted church member in Amityville, NY where she was baptized and served as an usher at Hollywood Baptist Church. After relocating to Raleigh she sang in the New Spirit choir at Laodicea, now Macedonia New Life Church. After retirement to Johnston County, NC she later joined Union Hill AME Church in Wilsons Mills, NC. There she served in multiple capacities, including Usher Board. In recent years Paulette joined her husband in worship at Centenary United Methodist Church in Smithfield NC where she was very active in Sunday School Class.
Paulette married the love of her life, Lloyd Barnes, Jr. in 1969. They would have celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on August 19th, 2019. They are parents to Krystal Barnes and loving grandparents to Kobe Barnes.
Left to cherish her memory is her devoted husband Lloyd Jr.; daughter Krystal; grandson Kobe; brothers Oscar Smith(Marsha), Andrew Smith; sister Janette Smith; Aunt(s) Eunice Wofford and Betsy Dickason; Uncle Quincy Watson; and host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial Service:
Thursday, August 15
5:00 PM
Wilson's Mills Baptist Church
652 Swift Creek Road
Smithfield, NC 27577

Visitation:
Friday, August 16
10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
Centenary United Methodist Church
140 E. Market St.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Funeral Service:
Friday, August 16
10:45 AM
Centenary United Methodist Church
140 E. Market St.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Interment:
Friday, August 16
Sunset
Smithfield, NC 27577