Mary Maxine Smyth Barnett was born May 23, 1925 in Bergholz (Jefferson County) Ohio to Gay and Audrey Smyth. She passed away on May 9, 2021 at Rex Rehab and Nursing Care Center of Apex NC.

Maxine graduated from Kent State University with a BS in Zoology and attended graduate school at Kansas University.

Maxine was a thoughtful, selfless person who always put other people before herself. She loved wildlife, especially birds. She enjoyed gardening, planting many daffodils and tulips. She liked to listen to classical music.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Howard Barnett; daughter Sally; and daughter, Laurie. She is survived by children, Andy Barnett (Susan) of Morrisville NC; Clayton Barnett of Raleigh NC; and Merritt Barnett (Deb) of Hillsborough NC; by her grandchildren, Matt Barnett of Colorado, Thomas Barnett of California, and Rosie Fusner of Columbus OH; and her great- grandchildren, Charlotte and Keely Fusner.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 7:00-8:00pm at Renaissance Funeral Home. ***Masks are required for attendance. Burial will take place on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 1:00pm at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest, NC.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The O’Berry Center Foundation P.O. Box 1157 Goldsboro, NC 27533.