Barbara Jean McCauley Barnett

Barbara Jean McCauley Barnett was born on April 1, 1941, in San Bernardino, California, to Lyle and Grace (Rigby) McCauley. She was the youngest of four sisters and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Barbara met her beloved husband, Philip Barnett, when he was a high school senior and she a sophomore. They began going steady in 1956 and married on her nineteenth birthday, April 1, 1960. Shortly thereafter, Philip departed for military service in Korea while Barbara worked as a secretary, having completed two years at Fullerton College. Upon his return, they welcomed their first daughter, Kelly, and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles California temple. In 1970, as Barbara anticipated the birth of their fourth child, Mark, the family relocated from California to Utah to be closer to her family.

Barbara and Philip raised six children together, and Barbara relished seeing them involved in social endeavors and participating in many activities, including music and sports. She very much delighted in her own high school experience, and to see her children actively engaged and thriving was a source of happiness for her.

She was determined to share her love of the gospel and of the savior with her children and took every chance to bear her testimony both at church and to them. She was active in many church callings, including the Relief Society Presidency, Primary President, and a service worker in the temple. In 2007, she and Philip were called to serve in the Birmingham Alabama mission where they met many wonderful friends and ministered for their church. A lifelong social butterfly, Barbara rejoiced in visiting with the people in her ward and cultivated lifelong friendships with neighbors she and her family cherished.

Barbara was grateful to be able to stay at home with her children but also helped support the family by working nights at times. Her husband Philip worked for the phone company. She often remarked on what a steadfast, service-oriented person her husband was and that matched her own. She never missed a chance to cook meals, make funeral potatoes or to babysit for her family and friends. She would also help at the school including being the PTA President at South Davis Junior High. The Barnett children were given myriad experiences and opportunities to help them learn and grow and enrich their lives, and they embarked on many an adventure together.

When grandchildren became a part of her life, Barbara made sure to provide a comfortable place to come together for holiday celebrations, special occasions, and weekly Sunday afternoons. She made gatherings for her family fun and memorable, keeping everyone fed and entertained with lively conversation and riotous card games which she played with the whole family.

A natural record keeper, Barbara made efforts to document memories, events, and moments big and small. She insisted on regular photos of the family and would periodically dress her family up for portraits. Mementos and letters from friends, siblings, and her children were lovingly safeguarded, ensuring that she would never forget a single moment of their lives together. Barbara’s story and memories will continue to be kept by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Barbara J. Barnett, treasured matriarch of the Barnett family and vibrant community member of Bountiful, Utah, made her journey to her Father in Heaven on May 9th, 2025. In the week preceding her death, she was surrounded by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who held her hand and spoke to her, bidding a loving farewell while filling her room with joyful noise, just as Barbara would want it. Barbara is survived by her sister Norma and her children Kelly Barnett, Timothy (Chris) Barnett, Kenneth Barnett, Mark Barnett, Shari (Dave) Winward, and Todd (Brooke) Barnett. She is preceded in death by her loving Husband Philip, her parents Lyle and Grace McCauley and her sisters Arlene and Maxine.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the North Canyon 5th Ward, 2505 South Davis Blvd., Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held Friday morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Barbara will be laid to rest at the Hooper Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.