WILMINGTON — It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved father, Joe Louis Barnett Sr., who left us on October 2, 2025 at the age of 86.
He was born in Jackson, Mississippi on March 8, 1939 to the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Steve and Queen Ethel Barnett.
At an early age he took an interest in cars and purchased his first car at the age of 16. Joe Louis first job was working on the boat docks as a long shore man in Southport Mississippi. A couple years later he met and married Dorothy Lee Brown.
Later they moved to Wilmington NC. There he owned a small gas station and in the back he worked on cars. He saved his money and purchased a larger building and started his very own auto mechanic business namely Barnett s Garage.
Together they had six children. Sonya Rivers (James), Betty Shaw, Steven Barnett (Cindy), Keith Barnett (Jana), Regina Barnett, Joe Louis Barnett Jr., deceased. A host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and several surviving relatives, friends and close acquaintances who will deeply miss him.
No services planned at this time.
