Mary Budd Barnett

Mary Jean Budd Barnett, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026 in West Columbia, South Carolina. Born on May 24, 1929, in Massillon, Ohio, Mary led a remarkable life full of love, dedication, and service to her community.

Mary graduated from Massillon High School and went on to earn her degree from Notre Dame College. She began her professional career as the Assistant Dietician at City Hospital in Massillon. Outside of her work, Mary was a woman of many passions. An avid golfer and traveler, she also possessed an incredible singing voice that brought joy to everyone who heard her. She spent much of her time performing in local musicals and plays. It was during a 1955 rehearsal for her most treasured theatrical role, Suzuki in Madame Butterfly, that she met the love of her life, Robert Chapman Barnett. The couple was engaged on New Year’s Eve in 1955 and married the following June.

As their family grew, Mary and Robert relocated several times before settling in Aiken, South Carolina, in 1977, where she was a member of the Aiken Choral Society, the Masterworks Chorale of USCA, the Aiken Singers, The Garden Club of Aiken, the Aiken Garden Club Council, the Houndslake and Woodside Garden Clubs, and The Croft House Board. Adventurous at heart, they shared a lifelong passion for travel, ultimately visiting over 50 countries and exploring all seven continents together. They remained dedicated members of the Aiken community until 2024, when they moved to the Still Hopes Retirement Community in West Columbia, South Carolina. On June 16, 2026, Mary and Bob celebrated a monumental milestone: their 70th wedding anniversary.

A woman of deep faith, Mary was a devout Catholic and a longtime member of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Aiken. She also possessed a strong spirit of community service, dedicating much of her time over the years to working with the Department of Social Services.

Mary is survived by her adoring husband of 70 years, Robert “Bob” Chapman Barnett; her two children, John Winfield Barnett of Norwich, New York, and Claire Marie Barnett (Doug Wooldridge) of Williston, South Carolina; her cherished grandchildren, Christopher (Laura) Huerta and Hilaire (Steven) Rangos Laidlaw; and her step-great-grandchildren, Stella Wilson, Jude Laidlow, and Jensen Laidlow. Mary is also survived by a brother-in-law, Charles Rikard. In addition to her parents, Leslie Winfield Budd and Florence Marie Snyder Budd she was preceded in death by her son, Robert Barnett Chapman, Jr.; and her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Barnett Rikard.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 o’clock, Thursday morning, October 1, 2026 at the historic Old St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church with Father Michael Ghattas officiating. Interment will be held at 11 o’clock on Friday morning, October 2, 2026 at Resthaven Cemetery in Washington, Georgia. Milton Shealy Funeral Home, Historic Aiken Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the South Carolina Philharmonic or The Garden Club of Aiken.