Maxine Elder Barnett

Published 6:11 pm Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Maxine Elder Barnett passed away on January 7, 2025 at the age of 97 at Hermitage Richmond. Maxine was born on March 11, 1927 in Campbell County, Virginia. She graduated from Brookneal High School and Medical College of Virginia where she earned a BS degree in Pharmacy in March, 1946, two weeks after she celebrated her nineteenth birthday. In August, 1946, she married George Harden Barnett. They moved to Suffolk, Virginia in 1951.

Maxine was the first woman pharmacist in Suffolk; she practiced pharmacy for approximately ten years. After “retiring” from pharmacy, she served as bookkeeper for her husband’s dental practice and managed the family’s real estate investments.

Maxine was actively involved in community organizations and was proud to be the first woman appointed to the Suffolk Planning Commission and to the Board of Directors of Louise Obici Memorial Hospital. She was vice-chair of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, member of the Louise Obici Hospital Auxiliary, member and president of the Riverview Garden Club, member of the local board of the Virginia Lung Association, and member of the Constantia Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Suffolk Historical Society, and Suffolk Art League. She was an avid bridge player for many years.

A life-long Baptist, Maxine was a member of West End Baptist Church where she served on the Finance Committee, taught children’s Sunday School classes, and was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union.

Maxine was predeceased by her parents, Verna Newman and William Royal Elder, and her brother William Royal Elder, Jr. She is survived by her three children: Gloria Barnett Barrett (husband Judd) of Pittsboro, NC; George Harden Barnett, Jr. (wife Beth) of Punta Gorda, FL; Glenn Elder Barnett (wife Mary) of Richmond, VA. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 11:00 am at Holly Lawn Cemetery (1525 N. Main St.) in Suffolk, Virginia . A visitation will follow the graveside at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory (509 W. Washington St. Suffolk, VA 23434).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.