Mr. Willie Richard Barnette, 87 of Charlotte, known to many as "Mr. Richard," and to family as "Ric-Rac, " or "Paw-Paw," was born April 17, 1934 in Matthews, North Carolina to the late Floyd Hazel Barnette, and the late Leola Bethea Barnett.  He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 17, 2022 in Huntersville, North Carolina, where he was surrounded by family.

Mr. Richard spent the majority of his life in Charlotte, NC, where he attended and graduated from Second Ward High School in 1952.  While residing in Charlotte, Mr. Richard was employed with E.B. Digh & Sons where he worked as a Mobile Boat Mechanic for over 30 years, and later retired.  He was a member of Prince Hall Masons Silver-Set Lodge No.327.

During the mid-1960's, Mr. Richard met the love of his life, and later married the late Mrs. Mary Davis Barnette, where they spent over 40 years together.

Mr. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, both parents, one brother, Floyd Haywood Barnette; sisters, Sarah Miller, Ruth Mae Martin and Hazeline Walker; children, Larry Eugene Martin, Vincent Q. Davis and Anthony Bernard Davis; and grandchildren, Kayla Johnson, Terry Long and Joshua Davis.

Mr. Richard leaves to cherish his memory, one son Warren Davis and three daughters, Sylvia Wallace, Denise Heath, and Leola Henderson, all of Charlotte, NC; two brothers, Vernon Martin and Clifford Martin; four sisters, Patsy McCuller, Margaret Lee Martin, Kathy Moore and Marilyn Adair, all of Charlotte, NC; eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins other relatives, and friends.