Roberta Barnett Obituary

Roberta Barnett

October 8, 2025

Roberta Gordon Barnett, 63, of Columbia, died on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. She was born in Lynchburg, Va., a daughter of Robert Terrell Gordon and Mary Baxter Sigler Gordon.

Growing up in Lynchburg, Roberta excelled in athletics while attending E.C. Glass High School and enjoyed competitive sailing.

She graduated from Centre College of Kentucky in 1984 with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Art. While at Centre, she was captain of the track team, a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and President of the Panhellenic Council.

Following graduation from Centre, Roberta worked as a photographer for Portrait Company of America, first in Charlotte, N.C., and then in Columbia. She then enrolled in graduate school at the University of South Carolina, obtaining a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in 1987, following which she taught Math at Chapin High School until May of 1991.

It was during this time in Columbia that Roberta joined First Presbyterian Church and met her future husband, Doug, who she married in 1991.

As an active member of First Presbyterian Church, she taught children's Sunday School and served as both a women's Circle leader and a committee leader of the Women of the Church.

In approximately 2005, Roberta began to develop symptoms of multiple sclerosis, which progressed for the next 20 years until her death. During that time, however, she never viewed herself as a victim and rarely complained about her physical limitations. Instead, she calmly and joyfully entrusted herself to the God who had redeemed her and to His wisdom, power and unfailing love, being fully persuaded that He was with her, for her, and working out every detail of her life for her good and His glory.

Roberta was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband, John Douglas Barnett; daughter, Sarah Margaret Barnett, of Raleigh, N.C.; sister, Lee Ann Dorsey (David), of Louisville, Ky.; brother, Robert Baxter Gordon (Jane), of Lynchburg, a.; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.

The family expresses their deep appreciation to Erik S. Crook, M.D., for the excellent medical care, gentle encouragements, and loyal friendship he provided to Roberta over the course of many years; and to Beverly Roberts and Betty Pough, who provided a high level of tender and devoted caregiving to Roberta for the past five years.

A funeral service for Mrs. Barnett is scheduled for Monday, October 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, with visitation immediately following in Jackson Hall of the church. The service will be livestreamed and recorded for later viewing on the church's website. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Drs. Neil C. Stewart, Mark E. Ross and David H. Lauten will officiate.