My grandmother, Vannie was the widow of The late Rev. Mays Milton Barnett Sr. and was the daughter of the late Zedic Westmoreland James and Florence J. Hudson James. After my grandfather's death in 1932, my grandmother took a position at the Connie Maxwell Orphanage and in June 1932 she arrived with her 8 children. She was a house mother to 50 boys in the home called Memorial Home.

At the time of her death, she was living with her son, Luther Zedic Barnett at the residence 1866 Somerset Cir. in Charleston. My grandmother had two funeral services one in Charleston for her friends and the funeral for the family was held at the Thomas McAfee Funeral Home Chapel.

Listed as survivors were three daughters, Mrs. Wistar William Smith( Mary) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Mrs. W.E. Tench(Lila) and Mrs. James E. McFadden Jr.(Ruth) of Rock Hill, South Carolina and four sons, Luther Z. Barnett of Charleston, South Carolina; James Long Barnett of Bennettsville, South Carolina; Dean Albert Barnett of Taylors, South Carolina and Lee Prince Barnett of Ridgecrest, California. She was predeceased by one son, Mays Milton Barnett Jr. who died in 1941.

At the time of her death, my grandmother had two sister's living which was Mrs. Henry Martin Miles(Melvina) and Mrs. Edward Law Dillard(Jennie) of Greenville, South Carolina and one brother, Col. Boyce M. James of Winter Park, Florida.

My grandmother had four sisters to pass away earlier, Etta James who died at the age of 2 years in 1896, Lola Theresa James Lupo who died in 1918, Effie James Greer who died in 1924 and Susan"Sunie" Clarinda James Garlington who died in 1960.

Her obituary was published in The Greenville News--Greenville, South Carolina on the 27th day of January 1966 Page 18.

By her granddaughter, Sharon Ruth Barnett Merheb