Community mourns loss of Mike Barnett



Community mourns loss of Mike Barnett | Mike Barnett, Our Backyard Town B&B, Puckett Lumber, Martin

Mike Barnett of Martin

Weakley County mourned the loss of a business man, a family man and good Samaritan on Monday after the passing of 58-year-old Mike Barnett.
Barnett was a long-time Martin resident and owner of Puckett Lumber in Martin.
Many knew him as a willing participant in community organizations and throughout the year activities.
Barnett was always willing to don a Santa suit during the holiday season in an effort to not disappoint the children when the man at the North Pole couldn’t be everywhere at once.
Barnett strived to put service above self. He was a veteran of the Army National Guard. He was a graduate of the Martin Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy and a member of Martin’s First United Methodist Church.
Barnett served dual roles in the business community as owner of Puckett Lumber, and sharing the responsibilities of the bed and breakfast he and his wife Cathy owned known as Our Backyard Town B&B.
The best kept secret in West Tennessee has been catering to people for decades and patrons only have to venture to the couple’s home in town to find the early 20th Century style mini-community.
As a connoisseur of all things antique, none were more evident in his collection of trinkets of the past than in his collection of 27 antique cars.
Barnett also served as a member of the West Tennessee Antique Car Club.
Barnett leaves behind his wife, Cathy, son and daughter-in-law, Clint and Charity Riley of Martin; two daughters and sons-in laws, Kristy and Chris Vincent, Alicia and Brian Webb of Franklin and six grandchildren.

WCP 11.30.10