Howard Roland Barnett

Mr. Howard Roland Barnett was born on February 17, 1939, in Webster County, MS to Drew and Leade Barnett. He passed away on December 19, 2020, in Ocean Springs. He grew up in the area around Eupora, attended Walthall schools, where he was on the basketball team. Howard worked several jobs around Eupora and in the 50's he moved to Ocean Springs to live and work with his brother, Clovis. They bought the Texaco service station at the corner of Washington and Porter where they worked for many years, Barnett Brothers Texaco. In the 80's the two built Barnett Brothers B.F. Goodrich on Government Street. The brothers ran the two stores until they retired. Roland was a veteran, a Mason and an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church Downtown and the Seed and Feed Sunday School class. He enjoyed watching sports on TV and talking to people, Thursday morning breakfasts with their friends at McDonalds and lunches with his February boys and wives. Roland loved to talk and had lots of stories. His favorite saying was "everyday is a milky way!" and when asked about plans for the day he would say "I'm going to find someone not doing anything and help them." Roland was the youngest of 10 children. He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his siblings, Harvey, Bilbo, Clovis, Durell, Thomas, Adam, Odean, Ethel and Betty. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Hermanell Hearn Barnett, daughter, Candice Jones and many nieces and nephews, including Jan Jones, Clovis Barnett, Jr, Larry Barnett, Hulon Barnett, Danny Barnett, Greg Barnett and others. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 23, from 12pm until 1pm, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, followed by a 1:30pm graveside service in Crestlawn Memorial Park, conducted by Reverend Rick Brooks. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.