Marilee Barnett, 60, went to be with our Lord on July 25, 2010. Marilee was born on October 19, 1949 in Norman, OK to Jim and Mary Helen Downing and graduated from Norman High School in 1967. From her earliest days, Marilee knew that sharing her love for music would be the focus of her life. She completed undergraduate and graduate level studies in Music and Music Education at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. She brought her love for children to her position with Monroe Elementary School and as a sponsor for the Christian Youth Fellowship at the First Christian Church in Norman. Most recently, Marilee served for 16 years as the Coordinator of Worship and Music at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. Throughout these years, Marilee also developed a successful private voice studio where she helped singers of all ages to find their voice and worship God through music. As a performer, Marilee was blessed with an expressive and versatile voice and was able to sing almost any style of music beautifully. Over the years, she performed with and was a frequent soloist for the First Christian Church of Norman, the Norman Choral Society, the OU Chorale, Canterbury Choral Society, Windsong Chamber Choir and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Beyond the music, Marilee was a gifted mentor. Many of her students and friends recall how she could help them build their confidence and find, not just their singing voice, but their inner voice. Other activities Marilee loved to share with friends and family are gardening, bird watching, genealogy, traveling, cooking and competitive sailing. Marilee is survived by her husband of 20 years, Kerry Barnett; mother Mary Helen Downing; son and daughter-in-law Scott and Holly McPherson; daughter and son-in-law Kyra and Bobby Boyer; grandchildren Jordan, Cameron, and Logan Satterlee, Ryan and Bailey McPherson, and Marshall and Jordan McKinnon; nephews Brian, Matthew, and Justin Downing and their families. Marilee is preceded in death by her father, Jim Downing, and brother, Hi Downing. A memorial service celebrating Marilee's life will be held Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Marilee Barnett Inner Voice Endowment at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

For more information, please contact the business office at (405) 524-2204.
 

Published in The Oklahoman on Aug. 5, 2010