Mary “Kat” Barnett, 78, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 22, 2015, after a long and brave fight with breast cancer.

Mrs. Barnett was a homemaker and longtime resident of Erwin, Tenn. She moved there from Yancey County when she was in her early teens. She loved to cook and always kept her home a warm, welcoming place where everyone was a friend and no one left hungry. She loved being outdoors, and enjoyed tending to her flowers and garden. She was also a skilled seamstress and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Her husband Cecil Barnett, her father Rudolph Edwards, her brothers Clyde Edwards, Clay Edwards and Ted Robinson, and her sister Bonnie Adkins precede her in death.

Mrs. Barnett leaves behind her mother: Stella Robinson, of Erwin; daughter Melissa Peterson, of Erwin (and special friend Ned Ritchie, of Kannapolis, N.C.); daughter Dee Dee Mitchell (and husband Jack), of Charlotte, N.C.; two grandchildren: Dustin Street and Alissa Peterson, both of Erwin; and one great-grandchild: Brylea Ponce, also of Erwin; three brothers: Arnold Edwards (and wife Louise), Dean Robinson (and wife Betty), and Gene Robinson (and wife Louise), all of Erwin; one sister: Jane Bailey (and husband Zack), of Mars Hill, N.C.; one uncle: Darius Fender (and wife Barbara Ann), of Erwin; plus several nieces, nephews, cousins and "adopted" grandchildren.

Mrs. Barnett’s family will receive friends on Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home in Erwin. At all other times, the family will receive friends at Melissa Peterson’s home: 110 Cross Street, Erwin, Tennessee.

A funeral service, conducted by the Rev. Donnie Harris, will follow visitation at 8 p.m. in the chapel at Valley. Special music will be provided by Dustin Street, Kayla Farmer and Sabrina Kitto.

Graveside services for Mrs. Barnett will take place on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Fishery Community Church cemetery in Erwin. Pallbearers include Odie Barnett, Steve Edwards, Tim Edwards, Bernie Schneider, Terry Harris, Eugene White, John Altom and Drew Howell.

Anyone planning to attend the committal service is asked to meet at Valley Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. to assemble the procession.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family through our website at www.valleyfuneralhome.net. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Mary “Kat” Barnett by Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N. Main Ave., Erwin, TN, 423-743-9187.