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In 1970, in the small West Tennessee town of Stanton, sat a young couple who together committed their lives to serving God as Linda sang a song to Royce that he had never heard before, “JESUS USE ME”. Royce told her, "That is my prayer," and it forever changed their lives.
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Linda, a faithful prayer warrior, never gave up praying for her lost husband, and Royce accepted Christ as his savior January 10th, 1970. Never stop praying! Never give up hope! Two weeks later Royce started playing lead (a Sears and Roebuck guitar) for his cousins the Finchers, from Frog Jump TN. Linda was singing with her sister, Gussie Hughes, and Sarah Kee in a female trio from Crockett County, TN. Their twin daughters, Darla & Debra started singing an occasional song when the trio sang and also when they would go with The Finchers. When the girls started singing harmony the family felt the call from God to start a family group ministry. Royce left the Finchers in 1971 and years later The Barnetts, up until September 2020, were still going with the original four they started with and several more.
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In 1985, Darla married Jesse Dedmon. They have two children, a son, Rory-Taylor (10/24/91) and as of December 17,2016, a daughter by marriage, Savannah Hope Jewell Dedmon. Taylor and Hope have 2 daughters, Evie James Dedmon born 10/29/19 and Linley Tate Dedmon born 7/9/2021. Darla & Jesse also have a daughter, Katelyn Victoria "Katie" (6/20/95) and another son November 21, 2020 when Katie married Dayton Gay (who ministered with The Perrys for four years and currently is ministering with Brian Free and Assurance). Katie and Dayton have one son, Seth Franklin Gay, born on March 8, 2025.
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In 1986, Deb married Tracy Rodgers, formerly of The Rodgers from Atwood, TN (his family’s group). They have a son, Greg (6/25/90) and as of June 29th, 2013, a daughter by marriage, Katherine Sullivan Tritt Rodgers. Then June 12, 2018 the 4th generation made his appearance, Greg and Katherine had their first child, a son, Benjamin (Ben) Wayne Rodgers. Then March 20, 2021 their second child, a daughter, Sarah Rebecca (Becca) Rodgers was born. Then on June 8, 2023 their third child, Charolett Ann Rodgers was born.
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Royce plays lead guitar, harmonicas, fiddle, banjo and (at age 85 started playing the pedal steel guitar). He also sings. Linda played the piano and sang and made sure we didn’t go hungry!!!! She also took care of the scheduling and bookkeeping, up until September, 2020. Darla plays the bass and piano and sings. Rory-Taylor plays the rhythm guitar and sings. Deb plays the piano and sings. Tracy plays the bass, drums and sings and Greg plays the drums and has played them full time for the group since he was five years old and sings. Katie sings and she also sings with Rory-Taylor, Greg to form the third generation of Barnetts. Hope also has a lovely soprano voice and sings with us. On occasion we are blessed to have Jesse and Katherine join us. Jesse plays the rhythm guitar and sings, Katherine has a beautiful voice and can be found singing with her mom, sister and sister by marriage at their home church. And now the forth generation sings, when they are present.
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Royce and Linda Barnett are/were members of Stanton MC Church in Stanton TN and have been members since 1957. Jesse, Darla Dedmon are members of Allen Baptist Church in Brownsville TN, as well as Tracy and Deb Rodgers. Greg, Katherine Ben, Becca and Charlotte Ann Rodgers belong to Mercer Baptist in Mercer TN and Rory-Taylor, Hope, Evie James and Linley are members at Zion Baptist Church in Brownsville, TN. Dayton & Katie belong to Maranatha Baptist Church in Gates TN.
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Joshua 24:15 “As for Me and My House We Will Serve the Lord.”
Royce and Linda received The James Blackwood Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. They also celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary May 11, 2007.
In 2015, Darla & Deb received the same award their parents did 15 years earlier, The James Blackwood Lifetime Achievement Award.
< > On September 16, 2020, our family`s world was turned upside down when wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and matriarch of The Barnett Family was called to meet face to face the One she had sung about and for all her life. The family did discuss the future of the ministry. Hands down we know time is critical and we had to carry on!!!
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Shortly after, Linda’s homegoing, on July 4th 2021, Greg and Katherine’s, then 3-year-old son, Ben, was found on the bottom of a swimming pool. Prayers were rendered as we’ve never seen before and PRAISE THE LORD, after 30 minutes, his lifeless body’s vital started slowly coming back. Ben was still in very critical condition, BUT God had brought him back from death. The journey has been extremely difficult, but we are still claiming full restoration… BELIEVING FOR IT! God has been so good through this most challenging time. You are encouraged to go the “A Miracle for Ben Rodgers” on Facebook and see this amazing story and how the hand of God will carry you through whatever He allows you to be brought to. We covet prayers for Ben and the family.
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Then on July 20th, 2022, the following statement was release:>>>
Well, we kind of knew this day would eventually come, but then again, our proclaimed scripture, Joshua 24:15 says “As for Me and my House, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD” and not “we will sing with the Barnetts…” and with that being said we have an announcement effective immediately.
Greg has not been able to go with us since Ben’s accident. He will rejoin the group once Ben is better. We look forward to one day soon getting to take Ben with us, so he can say, “LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!!!” For now, Greg’s place is with Katherine, Ben and Becca, at home where he is needed.
Katie and Dayton have been praying for a while for God’s leadership in their direction in the ministry. They are involved in their home church and after much prayer and discussion, feel that’s where they need to be. We love them and pray God blesses them abundantly for seeking, praying and following His will for their lives.
Hope has always been so supportive of Taylor and the ministry and will be traveling with us some of the time. God has blessed her with a beautiful voice but she does have her hands full keeping up with two precious little girls, Evie James (3) and Linley (1). We still look forward to hearing her sin when she is with us.
And last, but not least, “Sweet Jess”, for the most part, will still remain around the house and praying us on.
As of right now, the Barnetts consist of Royce, Darla, Taylor, Tracy & Deb. That is not to say there might not be a special appearance sometimes from some or all of the rest of the family. We just feel like there needed to be some clarification on who will be traveling, as the norm, at this time.
We thought after 51 years, in the ministry, maybe God had a different direction for all of us, but Sunday as we prayed for God’s guidance, He blessed us with confirmation that He is NOT finished with the Barnett Family!!! I don’t understand how God can use such imperfect vessels for what He has called us to do, but there is no doubt about it!!!
PLEASE!!!, Continue praying for all of us, that we will always be found faithful to our Heavenly Father and His call on our lives as we give Him ALL the praise, honor and glory!!!
Thank You, The Barnett Family.<<<<
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Our prayer is that God’s will, will be done in the ministry He has called our family into.
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CONTACT INFO: The Barnetts/Deb Rodgers 731-780-5200
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NOTE: PLEASE, PULL THE CORRECT MAP BY CLICKING ON THE "EVENT NAME" AND NOT LOCATION. YOU CAN GO THE MAP FROM THE EVENT PAGE. DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, SOME MAPS WILL STILL NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE.
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