Dilbert Barrett

Dilbert Barrett, 89, of Versailles passed away at 2:20pm, Saturday, February 17, 2018 at his home. He was born at Booneville in Owsley County, Kentucky on January 31, 1929 the son of Levi and Dora Baker Barrett. He was married to Martha Feller on September 3, 1949 and his wife of 68 years survives. Other survivors include one son Timothy (Candy) Barrett of Versailles; one daughter Marlene Smith of Westport; 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; one brother James (BJ) Barrett of Booneville, Kentucky; one sister Louise Rice of Beattyville, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Elaine Farrell, and his brothers Lee, Earl, Johnny, and Robert Barrett. Mr. Barrett retired in 1988 from Schenleys’ at Lawrenceburg where he worked as a blender for 31 years. Earlier in his career Dib worked at a veneer mill in Lawrenceburg, worked on the railroad, and also at Fisher Body. At home he was a farmer, raising tobacco, keeping bees, and producing a prize winning garden from seeds he’d saved the previous season. Retirement years also found him at McDonald’s in Versailles where he participated in the morning and afternoon “coffee clubs.” Dib was baptized at the Bear Creek Baptist Church in Friendship on October 15, 1967 and remained a faithful member until his passing. At church he served as a deacon from 1973 to present, and also served as Sunday school superintendent, assistant teacher, moderator, and as a trustee. He also participated in the Laughery Baptist Association Men’s Brotherhood and served on the association’s executive committee. He was also a member of the Hopewell Masonic Lodge at Dillsboro and in 1999 Dib was named a Kentucky Colonel. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 21st at 11am at the Bear Creek Baptist Church in Friendship with Rev. Sherman Hughes officiating. Burial will be in the Akers Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4pm to 7pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10am until time of services Wednesday at the church. The Hopewell Masonic Lodge will conduct services at 7pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Bear Creek Baptist Church or the Akers Friendship Cemetery in care of the funeral home.