Godfrey Barnett

Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Godfather, friend & Coach.....

This is not an ordinary obituary; this is the dash. Meaning he filled the dash with how he lived. The following is the dash of his life. On May 12th, 1954, God saw fit to bring Godfrey Barnett into the world. He was born in Pelican Point, the highest point on the island of Grand Bahamas. He was the child of Dorothey & Louis Barnett, (both predeceased), he was 1 of 13 children. He married Jean V. Bailey in 1988. He declared that they were soul mates & he had waited for her knowing that God had sent her to him. They married at the courthouse, both went back to work and never looked back, celebrating 33 years of marriage & 35 years of friendship. Between them they shared these children: Clea, Mac, Jathan, Andrew, Jarvis, Curtis, Decaris, Olivia, Keith, Sakeithia & finally Rashad. A host of Grandchildren: Bailey, MacKenzie, Karter, Micha, Andrew Jr., Alia, Miracle, Oliver, Ryan, Jack, Tommy, Mason, Lila, Jayse. Godchildren: Michele, LaToya, Jermaine & Sharmaine. He also had a special place in his heart for his niece Amelia Hall, nephews Barry, Rashad & Byron. And his favorite saying was ‘my favorite is who I am speaking to at the time’.

His sisters: Willa Mae Bowe, Rosemary Pinder, Beverly Barnett, Toni Evans. Brothers: Gary, Rodney & Ivan Barnett. Sister-in-laws: Beverly, Alice, Helen.  Brother-in-law: Clifford Pinder

He finished college at an early age. Went to Technical college, worked at Syntex Chemical Corp as well as other companies in Freeport Bahamas. He also came to and left Ft. Lauderdale to finally pursue his final studies at the University of Central Florida where he obtained his bachelor's in mechanical engineering. He was one of the 1st to pledge Sigma with his lifelong friend Donald Tillman aka.Papa Smurf. During this time, he also started his landscaping business to help students he knew to make money on the side. He worked with Chuck Pratt as a partner for more than 40+years, company Name: Chess Incorporated. He worked with many contractors' &sub-contractors too numerous to name.

He possessed a big Loving heart reaching back to help the family, friends, associates in any way he could. He held the Bahamas close to his heart. His wife called him “the Mad Chef”, cooking up anything and everything. He coached football and basketball earning a way to the big league in finals for basketball at the Magic Arena. He was proud of his boys in pop warner for them being impact players and winning. It was said then his children made up a team by themselves. He made sure that the boys who could not afford to play in any sport had a scholarship. He even coached Brandon Marshall, who went on to the NFL. Every young person he touched went on to accomplished something in their lives. Too many to mentioned. He would say ‘you know who you are so continue on.

Church & church family was important to him. He always looked to help those who could not help themselves. Especially elderly people. He repaired their houses, did landscaping, brought food for them. His next-door neighbor Mrs. Adams & her daughter Cathy called on him for help & he never refused them. Already acquainted with the Boston family, he nurtured that relationship for over 40 years. He and the family joined Antioch MB Church & during the years his Pastor that he stayed in touch with was George Williams & during his illness he would receive phone calls from him. He and the family went on to First United Methodist church where he was a member for 18 years and finally membership with United Methodist Church of Geneva under Pastor Okello, who also lifted him up in prayer. During his time there he would make sure he cooked for fellowship Sunday, the church enjoyed his culinary expertise so much that Mrs. Imogene requested that he cooked for the Womens Breakfast. He was so proud they choose him, and he made sure they had an unlimited choices for breakfast.

He was a member of the Rotary of Oviedo, United Methodist Men, Usher at United Methodist of Geneva. He took on many other duties too numerous to name. He won award for designing a home along with Chuck Pratt.

As this is not the end but a transition:We leave you with his favorite sayings: It is what it is..Deal with it.When a person shows you who they are, believe them, they know themselves better than you do.Make your plans & watch God laugh.I love you in spite of yourself.If my dog doesn’t like you....check yourselfAnd finally:I have HOPE that humankind, people children, friends & EVERYONE ELSE etc. Would do the right thing. But I place my FAITH IN ONLY God, He will always do the right For He knows all. Know that Hope & Faith are two differen things. And know that God will give you answers: yes, no, wait or maybe. You are His child & He knows what's best.

He would say see you later my friends. There’s a leak in this old building & my soul has got to move to a building not made by man.