Anita Barnett Buchanan, age 61, of the Cane Branch Community, went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, August 21st, 2018 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. She was a daughter of the late Carl and Lucille Ray Barnett. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Timothy Allen Barnett and sister-in-law, Deb Barnett. A 1975 graduate of Bowman High School, she retired from Baxter Healthcare after a 38 year career. She was a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church who loved Jesus, her family and her church. Her love of Christ was exhibited in her more than anyone Paul had ever met. She was a Board Member for Friends Across North Carolina, a subsidiary of Camp Funshine and involved with the Red Cross, touching 45 lives as a blood donor. It's hard to put into words how much she loved her grandchildren and they held a special place in her heart. She lived by the motto, "It's better to give than receive". Anita would always light up the room, and now she's lighting up Heaven.

Left to cherish her memories is her loving and devoted husband, Paul Buchanan, who she called her "Paulie"; daughter, Celeste "Les" Maher and husband, Kevin, of Burnsville; grandchildren: Ben Warren, Jillian Warren and Eli Maher; brothers: Odell Barnett of Bean Station, TN, Wade Malone Barnett and wife, Lisa, of Burnsville and special friends: Sharon Barnett, David and Rita Ray, Ann and Steve Shepherd, Patricia Edwards and her family. Nieces, nephews, friends and her church family also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 24th at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Darrin Waldroup will officiate. The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 2 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.