In 1970, in the small West Tennessee town of Stanton, sat a young couple who together committed their lives to serving God as Linda sang a song to Royce that he had never heard before, “JESUS USE ME”. Royce told her, "That is my prayer," and it forever changed their lives.
Linda, a faithful prayer warrior, never gave up praying for her lost husband, and Royce accepted Christ as his savior January 10th, 1970. Never stop praying! Never give up hope! Two weeks later Royce started playing lead (a Sears and Roebuck guitar) for his cousins the Finchers, from Frog Jump TN. Linda was singing with her sister, Gussie Hughes, and Sarah Kee in a female trio from Crockett County, TN. Their twin daughters, Darla & Debra started singing an occasional song when the trio sang and also when they would go with The Finchers. When the girls started singing harmony the family felt the call from God to start a family group ministry. So Royce left the Finchers in 1971 and years later The Barnetts are still going with the original four they started with and several more.
In 1985, Darla married Jesse Dedmon. They have two children,a son, Rory-Taylor (10/24/91)and as of December 17,2016, a daughter by marriage, Savannah Hope Jewell Dedmon. Taylor and Hope have 2 daughters, Evie James Dedmon born 10/29/19 and Linley Tate Dedmon born 7/9/2021. Darla & Jesse also have a daughter, Katelyn Victoria "Katie" (6/20/95)and another son November 21, 2020 when Katie married Dayton Gay. In 1986, Deb married Tracy Rodgers, formerly of The Rodgers from Atwood, TN (his family’s group). They have a son, Greg (6/25/90) and as of June 29th, 2013, a daugher by marriage, Katherine Sullivan Tritt Rodgers.Then June 12, 2018 the 4th generation made his appearance, Greg and Katherine had their first child, a son, Benjamin (Ben) Wayne Rodgers. Then March 20, 2021 their second child, a daughter, Sarah Rebecca(Becca) Rodgers was born.
Royce plays lead guitar, harmonicas, fiddle, and banjo. He also sings. Linda plays the piano and sings and makes sure we don’t go hungry!!!! She also takes care of the scheduling and bookkeeping. Darla plays the bass and piano and sings. Rory-Taylor plays the rhythm guitar and sings. Deb plays the piano and sings. Tracy plays the bass and sings and Greg plays the drums and has played them full time for the group since he was five years old and sings. Katie sings and she also sings with Rory-Taylor, Greg to form the third generation of Barnetts. Hope also has a lovely soprano voice and sings with us. On occasion we are blessed to have Jesse and Katherine join us. Jesse plays the rhythm guitar and sings, Katherine has a beautiful voice and can be found singing with her mom, sister and sister by marriage at their home church.
Royce and Linda Barnett are members of Stanton UMC Church in Stanton TN and have been members since 1957. Jesse, Darla Dedmon are members of Allen Baptist Church in Brownsville TN, as well as Tracy and Deb Rodgers. Greg, Katherine and Ben Rodgers belong to Mercer Baptist in Mercer TN and Rory-Taylor, Hope, Evie James and Linley are members at Warren Baptist Church in Somerville TN. Dayton & Katie belong to Maranatha Baptist Church in Gates TN.
Joshua 24:15 “As for Me and My House We Will Serve the Lord.”
Royce and Linda received The James Blackwood Lifetime Acheivement Award in 2000. They also celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary May 11, 2007. In 2015, Darla & Deb received the same award their parents did 15 years earlier, The James Blackwood Lifetime Acheivement Award.
On September 16, 2020, our family`s world was turned upside down when wife, mother, grandmother,great grandmother and matriarch of The Barnett Family was called to meet face to face the One she had sung about and for all her life. The family did discuss the future of the ministry. Hands down we know time is critical and we had to carry on!!!
Our prayer is that God’s will, will be done in the ministry He has called our family into.
10/2019
CONTACT INFO: The Barnetts 731-780-5200
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