Carolyn Barnette

Carolyn Looke Barnette, 84, of Dothan, Alabama, and a longtime resident of Troy, passed away peacefully at her home in Dothan on November 2, 2025. Memorial services will be at 1:00pm on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Green Hills Funeral Home with a reception to follow the service. 

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Carolyn entered the world while her father, 1st Lt. C.J. Looke, Jr., served with the Army Air Corps. In the wake of Pearl Harbor, she and her mother, Barbara Denard Looke, were sent by ship to California, arriving in San Francisco on Christmas Day. Those early years in a military family set the tone for a life of travel, curiosity, and remarkable memories, from a birthday at the Eiffel Tower to a summer at camp in Switzerland.

While her family was stationed at Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, Carolyn met Jim Barnette, the love of her life. They settled in Troy, Alabama, and together raised five children: Debbie Barnette Park, Chris Barnette, Barbara Barnette, Carole Lynn Barnette, and Ramona Barnette Goetz. Carolyn devoted herself to family and community, encouraging her children and grandchildren in the arts and in many extracurricular pursuits. She supported local recreation programs and educational groups and was a familiar, joyful presence at school, band, athletic, and scouting events.

A gifted artist and musician, Carolyn pursued oil painting, watercolor, stained glass, and crewel embroidery, and she played both piano and organ. Her home was known for warm hospitality, lively music, and creative gatherings. Carolyn delighted in spontaneity — from Caribbean cruises to trips with her sister to France or a quick getaway to Las Vegas — and she embraced life with a generous, adventurous spirit.

A faithful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, Carolyn was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Andalusia, Alabama.

Carolyn is survived by her children, Debbie Barnette Park (Bobby), Barbara Barnette, and Carole Barnette; grandchildren, Lauren Park Donofrio, Allie Park Singleton (Kevin), Brantley Barnette Park (Judith), Mary Melissa Barnette Nations (Sheldon), Fitz Lee Jr., Cassie Clark Hovey (Cade), Courtney Clark (Tim Jones), Caitlyn Clark, Nicole Elizabeth Goetz, Gabriela Emily Goetz, and Alexander William Goetz; 14 great-grandchildren; her sister, Susan Lorms; her brother, Jim Looke; and several cousins and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Barnette; her parents, Col. C.J. Looke, U.S.A.F., Ret., and Barbara Looke; her children, Chris Barnette and Ramona Goetz; and her grandson, Clay Clark.

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Barnette family.