Stella Cockerill Barnett

Entered into eternal rest on the morning of June 9, 2011, Stella Cockerill Barnett, widow of Luther Z. Barnett.  Residence, Charleston, SC.  The relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral services in Ashley River Baptist Church, Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 1:00 pm. Interment, Live Oak Memorial Gardens. Following the burial, at 3:30 pm, a reception will be held at Bishop Gadsden Blackmer Hall. Friends may call at J. HENRY STUHR, DOWNTOWN CHAPEL Friday between 5:00 and 7:00 pm.

Mrs. Barnett was born March 3, 1926 in Sumter, SC, the daughter of John William Cockerill and Julia Glenn Cockerill.  She was a graduate of Furman University and received her Master's Degree from the College of Charleston.

Our mother was a gentle and loving soul.  For most people in the Charleston area, Mom was Mrs. Barnett, first grade teacher from Porter Gaud School.  She was an educator for over 40 years.  She taught generations of families.  She loved her school children and prepared them well. Mom was also a dedicated member of her church, Ashley River Baptist.  She taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. More importantly, she demonstrated daily the best qualities of a Christian life.  In the last five years, she has been living at Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community.  While there, she has made friends of almost all of the residents and staff.  Our mother never met a stranger and inspired love in all she met. She will be missed.

She is survived by one daughter Julia (Judy)B. Fox of Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; two sons: Luther Z. Barnett, Jr. (Traci Quinn) of Sumter, SC and James W. Barnett (Ginger Andrews) of Columbia, SC; three grandchildren: Daniel Fox, Lee Anne Barnett and Sarah McKenzie Quinn-Barnett; one sister: Louise C. McGurk of Charleston, SC. She is predeceased by three brothers, Graham Guyton, Jack Cockerill, and Bill Cockerill and one sister, Emily Watson.

Memorials may be made to Ashley River Baptist Church, 1101 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407, or Porter-Gaud School, 300 Albemarle Road, Charleston, SC 29407 or The Exchange Club of Charleston Foundation.