Matt Barnette

Matthew Allen Barnette, of Ripley, just 37 years old, passed away on October 13, 2021 at Camden Clark Medical Center. Anyone that had the privilege of knowing Matt would agree that he was a gentle giant, the size of Paul Bunyan and as strong as Babe the Blue Ox, but very lighthearted and always looking to make life as enjoyable as possible. Matt was a loving husband and father, dedicated employee and one of the hardest workers you could ever encounter. Matt had an endless passion for dirt track racing, working on anything mechanical that he could get his hands on, and spending time with his family in the mountains of Pocahontas County. Matt was also a bit of a comedian in the sense that he loved to playfully pick on everyone that he cared about. Matt left an everlasting positive impact on so many people. He leaves behind a lot of friends and family and he will be deeply missed here on Earth. In addition to his father Clayton Allen Barnette, Matthew was preceded in death by his grandparents William Darrell Gibson, Luther Clayton Barnette and Delores Barnette; uncle Rodney Gibson and aunt Jo Ellen Thompson. He is survived by his wife Rhonda; daughters Hailey and Chloe; son Hunter; mother Libby Barnette; brother Michael Barnette; sister Melissa (Scott) Hatcher; grandmother Betty Jo Gibson; mother and father-in-law Tim and Cindy Pride; sister-in-law Anna (Dave) Myers; nieces Brittney Hatcher, Olivia (Issac) Koontz; Brooke (Walker) Shouldis, Erica Hatcher and Emersyn Barnette; nephews Eli Hatcher, Cassius Barnette and Landon Myers. He is also survived by special friends Greg, Sue and Benji Jewell. Funeral Service will be 3:00 pm Sunday, October 17, 2021 at the Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley, with Pastor Steve Sayre officiating. Burial will be in the Pine Hill Cemetery, Ripley. Friends may call from 1 to 3 pm at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com