Harriet Barnett

Harriet Samuel Barnett was born March 14, 1934 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Annabelle Tolbert and Abraham Samuel. A graduate of John Bartram High School she startedher career as a bank teller in Philadelphia while commuting from Trenton, NJ where she'd relocated with family. It was in Trenton where she met and married the love of her life, William Barnett on February 12, 1961. The two had one daughter, Jacquelyn.

Harriet or "Sam" as she was affectionately known, later worked at the Department of Labor and Industry for the State of New Jersey for over 30 years, making many lifelong friends before retiring.

Sam never met a stranger and made friends and acquaintances easily with her approachable personality and true desire to help whenever she could. Generous to a fault, she didn't want anyone to go without and often sacrificed her own resources and time to make sure the needs of her family and friends were met.

A lover of all things red she had a unique eye for decor and her homes and sense of style were a reflection of the beauty she saw in life. A prolific baker, her cobblers and pound cakes were legendary! She was a faithful charter member of Change Church, Ewing, NJ where she was installed as a Church Mother and was a very active, popular member.

It is rare to find someone who is at once kindhearted, good-natured, generous, faith filled and down-to-earth - Mother Harriet was all of these things. Whether chatting on the phone, bus tripping with her sister-friends from church, enjoying time with her grandson, nieces and nephews, sharing meals and recipes with neighbors, seeking God in her famous" prayer chair" or more recently, being the life of the party during her treatments at Fresenius Kidney Care, she was always the same: salt and light!

She leaves to continue her legacy of peace and loving kindness her daughter, Jacquelyn N. Barnett Kennebrew of Hamilton, NJ, grandson Julian N. Kennebrew of Cherry Hill, NJ, stepdaughter Willette L. Barnett of DE, sister Peggy Young Williams of Trenton, NJ, brothers Walter Samuel (Marcia) of NJ and Ronald Samuel (Kay) of CA. She was predeceased by brother Timothy Tutt of GA, and her devoted husband,

William "Bill". She also leaves to cherish her memory many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, her pastor Dr. Dharius Daniels and wife Shameka along with the Change Church family; niece Dionne Washington; "sisters-in-love" Mary Foster and Geneva Wright, her eldest niece Dionne Washington.

Funeral service will be 12pm Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Change Church, 200 Ludlow Dr., Ewing, NJ 08638.  Calling hour will be 11am until time of service at the church. Interment will be private.

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