Linda Liles Barnett, 79, of Kernersville, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on August 2, 2026.

Born on September 18, 1946, in Troy, North Carolina, Linda lived a life devoted to her faith, her family, and serving others. She faithfully stood beside her beloved husband of nearly 57 years, William “Ken” Barnett, throughout more than 40 years of ministry, lovingly serving as a pastor’s wife. She and Ken were true partners in every sense of the word, faithfully serving the Lord, loving their family, and walking through life’s joys and challenges hand in hand. Linda also had a special heart for encouraging women in their faith. Through ladies’ ministries, she inspired fellowship, spiritual growth, and lasting friendships among the many lives she touched.

Linda’s greatest joy was loving and encouraging her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She lovingly referred to her daughters as “my girls,” and she was our biggest cheerleader and biggest fan. She believed in each of us wholeheartedly, celebrating every accomplishment, encouraging every endeavor, and helping us believe in ourselves. She was equally devoted to her grandchildren, always supporting, encouraging, and believing in them. Her great-grandchildren brought her immense joy, and she adored each one of them. Her unwavering love, gentle encouragement, and selfless devotion shaped our lives in countless ways, and the example she set will remain with us always.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, William “Ken” Barnett; her parents, Annie Poole Liles and Charlie Colon Liles; her sister, Janet Liles Luther; and her brothers, Clarence Liles, Carlton Liles, and Charlie “Frankie” Liles.

She is survived by her three daughters, Julia Sigmon (Jeff) of Taylorsville, North Carolina; Cynthia Silver (Wayne Rogers) of Thomasville, North Carolina; and Vanessa Goforth (Jody) of Hiddenite, North Carolina; her four grandchildren, Cody Sigmon, Elexis Barnett, Landon Silver, and Adeline Silver; and her three great-grandchildren, Gianna Alvarez, Xander Alvarez, and Eliana Alvarez.

We were truly blessed to call her our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. To us, she was simply the best, and we will always be grateful that she was ours.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, at J.C. Green & Sons Funeral Home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with entombment to follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Our family is grateful to Elexis Barnett for the extraordinary love, devotion, and faithful care she gave her grandmother throughout her final journey. We will always be grateful for Elexis’s loving dedication and the many sacrifices she made.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to Linda’s cousin, Sheila Talbert, who faithfully stood beside Linda and our family throughout her final months. Sheila’s love, support, and steadfast presence were a tremendous comfort to us all.