Earl Norman Barrett

Earl Norman Barrett, age 79, of Rome, GA, passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Earl was born in Floyd County on June 18, 1942. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Connor Barrett and Joyce Culbersen Barrett, and a sister Barbara Jean Barrett Camp of Adairsville, GA. Earl grew up in Floyd County. He was a 1962 graduate of Model High School in Shannon, GA. After high school, he worked at Pepperell Mill in Lindale, GA. He played semi-professional football with the Rome Bisons in 1963.

Earl was drafted into the United States Army in 1964 and served until 1966. During his service, he played on the Army baseball team. Upon returning home from deployment, he married the love of his life, Virginia Holden Barrett, on July 2nd, 1966. They have known each other since they were three years old. After his service, he was employed with both Colonial and Kerns bakeries. Earl was a Kerns bakery supervisor for 18 years and later employed by Colonial bakery. Upon retirement, Earl worked at the Barnsley Gardens Resort from 2008 until 2016. He found great joy in greeting all guests as a gatekeeper during his employment there. He had so many acknowledgements of his friendliness and work ethic that his wife filled a book of personal and thank you notes left by touched guests. Earl was a member of the Dykes Creek Baptist Church. Pastor Mikel Garrett was more than a pastor, he was Earl’s friend and visited quite often; Earl looked forward to his visits.
Earl was a dedicated, loyal, and loving spouse, father, grandfather. His familial survivors include, his wife of 55 years, Virginia Holden Barrett, two daughters, Laura LouAnn Robinson (Keith) of Alpharetta, Carla Dawn Grogan (Chris) of Cumming, five grandchildren, Laura Kinsey Robinson, Anna Claire Robinson Miller (Jared), Charlton Keith Robinson, Benjamin James Grogan, and Nathanial Barrett Grogan; his brothers, Robert David Barrett (Pat) of Calhoun and Jimmy Rickey Barrett (Lorena) of Adairsville; his brother-in-law, David Lamar Camp of Adairsville, his sisters-in-law, Evelyn Holden Hight, Judy Holden Bramblett, Mildred Holden Willerson (Tommy), Martha Bailey Holden, Mary Crowe Holden, Vanita Austin Holden and Bobbie Holden. Many very special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. Special friends, who brought him great joy with their frequent visits and constant support, include Mr. and Mrs. Ben Wood and Mr. and Mrs. John Holbert, and Jeff Hughes. Through his medical difficulties, all of his caregivers became family and Earl would have liked them recognized and thanked for their service and friendship.

Earl was a veteran, and his family would like to honor his life and service with donations to the Wounded Warrior Project. In lieu of flowers, please direct all donations to https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate

His pallbearers include Barry Rayburn, Chad Bramblett, Sid Willerson, Jason Holden, Derek Camp, Sean Barrett, Connor Barrett, and Jimmy Barrett.

Funeral services for Earl will be Saturday afternoon, January 29, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. in the Alvis Miller Memorial Chapel of Salmon Funeral Home with Pastor Mikel Garrett officiating. Interment will follow in Floyd Memory Gardens with Shanklin-Attaway Post 5 of the American Legion conferring military honors.

Earl’s family will receive friends at Salmon Funeral Home Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.

The staff of Salmon Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Earl Norman Barrett.