Louise R. Barnwell

Louise R. Barnwell of Raeford, NC died peacefully on Sunday, February 13, 2011, at 7:37 p.m. at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, NC after a prolonged and valiant fight with cancer. Teeny, as she was known, had been a joy to all of her family and friends for 88 years. She was born in Willington, SC to the late Lewis C. and Isabel M. Rich of Clarks Hill, SC. Teeny graduated from the Asheville Normal Teacher's College in Asheville, NC. After graduating, she began her teaching career as an educator for the children of the builders of Fontana Dam. She returned to SC to continue her career in Aiken then McCormick Counties. After her family moved to North Carolina, she resumed her career in Hoke County and taught at Raeford Elementary, now Turlington, and West Hoke Elementary schools until her retirement in 1988. Teeny loved and was a dedicated wife to her husband, Benjamin Smith Barnwell, Sr., for 53 years until his death in 2004. They were married November 9, 1951 in McCormick, SC and moved to North Carolina in 1959 with a final move to Raeford in 1962 where they remained. She was a proud and loving mother to and is survived by her three children: son, Benjamin Smith Barnwell, Jr., along with his wife Linda and two daughters, Sarah and Hannah of Greensboro, NC; daughter, Julia Isabel Barnwell, of Clayton, NC; and son, William Lewis Barnwell, along with his wife, Linda and her son, Scott Bennett and granddaughter, Bella Bennett. Family was very important to her, and she loved and adored each and every one of them. Teeny is also survived by her sister, Isabelle P. Boozer, of Augusta, GA, her brother William M. Rich, Sr., along with his wife, Myrtice of Easley, SC, in addition to many nieces and nephews in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Teeny lived a happy and contented life during which she was an inspiration to many and devoted to her family, all of whom will miss her loving presence in their lives. Her family wishes to thank her daughter, Julia, especially for her constant and compassionate care during her long illness. The family also thanks Teeny's friends for their support during this difficult time. We would like to commend and thank Lu Caceres and his staff at the Jordan Clinic in Raeford, the Wake County EMS and the Wake County Sheriff's Department for their prompt response and care, the staff in the Critical Care Unit at Wake Medical Center, and special thanks to Chris "Bubba" Vaughn and Teresa Bowen, both of Clayton, for their love and medical assistance. Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 19, at 11:00 a.m. at the Melrose Cemetery in Abbeville, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 911, Abbeville, SC 29620 or the NC Retired School Personnel Association of Hoke County's scholarship fund. Per her request, the family will not be having a visitation only a graveside service. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES of Abbeville is assisting the Barnwell family.