Date of birth: 23 Oct 1909
Date of death: 24 Dec 1998

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Burial Information

Section 02 (Click Here for Section Map)
Cemetery: Odd Fellows Cemetery
Plot: 186A-07
Status: Occupied

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Notes

Obituary 

Attorney Pat M. Barrett Died
from Injuries Sustained In Fall

Pat M. Barrett died Thursday, December 24, 1998 at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson from injuries sustained in a fall. He was 89.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26 at First United Methodist Church with burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lexington.

Mr. Barrett was a native and lifelong resident of Lexington. He founded the Barrett Law Firm.

In 1995 he was presented with the “Life Achievement Award” from the Cumberland School of Law of Lebanon, Tennessee (now a part of Sanford University in Birmingham), from which he had graduated in 1933. Each year the Law School honors one of its former graduates with this award in recognition of the lifetime of service rendered by the recipient—service to one’s fellowman and to the profession.

After graduating from Cumberland School of Law, and being admitted to the Tennessee and Mississippi State Bars in 1933, he returned to his native Lexington and began his practice of law. He was Holmes County’s first elected County Prosecuting Attorney, taking office in 1937 and holding that position for the next 35 years. He retired undefeated from the office in 1972. While still serving as Prosecuting Attorney, he was hired by the Holmes County Board of Supervisors as the Board’s Attorney, a position he held for 26 years until 1997. Pat M. Barrett served Holmes County as its legal representative for a total of sixty continuous years.

In addition to serving Holmes County in these capacities, and being a zealous advocate to his many and varied clients, Pat Barrett expended as many pro bono hours as he did in his other capacities. Throughout his entire legal career of 65 years, Mr. Barrett donated his services to over 75 churches in Holmes County, large and small, black and white. He is the only “Honorary Deacon” of the historic founding St. Paul’s Church of God in Christ in Lexington.

He never turned down a client because of inability to pay. He was a true guardian of the people, champion of our liberties, and an esteemed and trusted officer of the Court. During the tough times of the early civil rights struggles of the 1960’s, his was a voice of reason and reconciliation.

Mr. Barrett was a founding member of the Holmes County Junior Chamber of Commerce and served as the first State President of the Mississippi Junior Chamber of Commerce (1936). He served as President of the Lexington Rotary Club and Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Lexington First United Methodist Church.

He was instrumental in building a new 84-room hospital in Lexington in 1980 (now Methodist Healthcare-Middle Mississippi Hospital). Lexington has a modern airport almost entirely because of his work and vision. His persistent efforts also contributed to the 1976 renovation of the historic Holmes County Courthouse. At age 83, he provided leadership for the building of a new county industrial park. He was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Holmes County, having been elected in April 1942.

Pat Barrett loved his family and the law. Three of his children have followed his legacy into the practice of law, and four of his grandchildren have. His rocklike integrity, professionalism, and love of his fellowman inspired all who knew him.

Survivors include sons Pat M. Barrett, Jr. and John W. “Don” Barrett, both of Lexington; daughters Sally Williamson and Mildred Schmit, both of Lexington; and 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were: Rusty Williamson, Harold Hammett, Jr., Bootsy Hooker, Ed Wilburn Hooker, Bryan Jones, Chick Weathersby, John Weathersby, and Billy Ellis.

Charles Campbell, David Dillon, John Downer, Herman Flowers, Heyward Carter Green, Ray Lewand, and Billy Russell were honorary pallbearers.

Memorials may be sent to the Lexington First United Methodist Church Parsonage Fund.

Holmes County Herald - Lexington, MS,
December 31, 1998, Vol. 4, No. 53, Pg. 1

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Family Members

Parents
William Oliver Barrett
1870–1952

Rachel Burwell Barrett
1874–1952

Siblings
Olivia Barrett Linfield
1900–1985

Rachel Barrett Thompson
1903–1992

William Burwell Barrett
1906–1994

Thomas Richard Barrett
1912–1980

Spouse
Sara Ruth Stephens Barrett
1918–1990 (m. 1940)

Children
Pat Montgomery Barrett Jr
1942–2021

Sally Burwell Barrett Williamson
1951–2019

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Obituary
Attorney Pat M. Barrett Died
From Injuries Sustained In Fall

Pat M. Barrett died Thursday, December 24, 1998 at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson from injuries sustained in a fall. He was 89.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26 at First United Methodist Church with burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lexington.

Mr. Barrett was a native and lifelong resident of Lexington. He founded the Barrett Law Firm.

In 1995 he was presented with the “Life Achievement Award” from the Cumberland School of Law of Lebanon, Tennessee (now a part of Sanford University in Birmingham), from which he had graduated in 1933. Each year the Law School honors one of its former graduates with this award in recognition of the lifetime of service rendered by the recipient—service to one’s fellowman and to the profession.

After graduating from Cumberland School of Law, and being admitted to the Tennessee and Mississippi State Bars in 1933, he returned to his native Lexington and began his practice of law. He was Holmes County’s first elected County Prosecuting Attorney, taking office in 1937 and holding that position for the next 35 years. He retired undefeated from the office in 1972. While still serving as Prosecuting Attorney, he was hired by the Holmes County Board of Supervisors as the Board’s Attorney, a position he held for 26 years until 1997. Pat M. Barrett served Holmes County as its legal representative for a total of sixty continuous years.

In addition to serving Holmes County in these capacities, and being a zealous advocate to his many and varied clients, Pat Barrett expended as many pro bono hours as he did in his other capacities. Throughout his entire legal career of 65 years, Mr. Barrett donated his services to over 75 churches in Holmes County, large and small, black and white. He is the only “Honorary Deacon” of the historic founding St. Paul’s Church of God in Christ in Lexington.

He never turned down a client because of inability to pay. He was a true guardian of the people, champion of our liberties, and an esteemed and trusted officer of the Court. During the tough times of the early civil rights struggles of the 1960’s, his was a voice of reason and reconciliation.

Mr. Barrett was a founding member of the Holmes County Junior Chamber of Commerce and served as the first State President of the Mississippi Junior Chamber of Commerce (1936). He served as President of the Lexington Rotary Club and Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Lexington First United Methodist Church.

He was instrumental in the building of a new 84-room hospital in Lexington in 1980 (now Methodist Healthcare-Middle Mississippi Hospital). Lexington has a modern airport almost entirely because of his work and vision. The 1976 renovation of the historic Holmes County Courthouse was due to his persistent efforts. At age 83, he provided leadership for the building of a new county industrial park. He was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Holmes County, having been elected in April 1942.

Pat Barrett loved his family and the law. Three of his children have followed his legacy into the practice of law, and four of his grandchildren. His rocklike integrity, his professionalism and his love of his fellowman inspired all who knew him.

Survivors include: sons, Pat M. Barrett, Jr. and John W. “Don” Barrett, both of Lexington; daughters, Sally Williamson and Mildred Schmit, both of Lexington; and 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were: Rusty Williamson, Harold Hammett, Jr., Bootsy Hooker, Ed Wilburn Hooker, Bryan Jones, Chick Weathersby, John Weathersby, and Billy Ellis.

Honorary pallbearers were: Charles Campbell, David Dillon, John Downer, Herman Flowers, Heyward Carter Green, Ray Lewand and Billy Russell.

Memorials may be sent to the Lexington First United Methodist Church Parsonage Fund.

Family Relations of Pat Montgomery Barrett

Parents:
William Oliver Barrett
Rachel Burwell Barrett

Siblings:
Olivia Barrett Linfield
Pat Montgomery Barrett

More information, family relationships, and images may be found by CLICKING HERE (external link)

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