Mervil Robert Barrett, also known as Robbie, Bear and Barito, passed from this world to eternal rest on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
He was born in Richmond on Dec. 18, 1952.
Merv’s birth family was from the Appalachia areas of Virginia. His mother Betty Lee Jenkins’ huge family was from Stanley, near Luray Caverns. His father, Mervil Richard Barrett, was from West Virginia.
He has a wonderful sister, Wanda, in Hampton; and a sweet daughter, Christine, who lives in Yorktown.
Merv has many friends throughout Tidewater, and lots of close relatives and cousins in Stanley, like his mother’s sister,  Aunt Vontella.
As a young adult, Merv lived and worked primarily as a framing carpenter in the  Hampton Roads area, until he moved to Saluda in 2003, where he helped build up the flower business Virginia Specialty Cut Flowers at Evensteven Farm on Stormont Road.
Throughout his life, Mervil was a peaceful man. He had a love for animals, whether  tame or wild, and a way with them that made so many happy. He also had an affinity for poetic writing and filled scores of spiral notebooks with original odes and poems.
In the last couple of years, Merv had many health issues, but he pushed forward and  developed a growing church family at Saluda Baptist Church, where he was particularly fond of Pastor Nita, Deacon Ernie and many new friends who shared their love and supported him during his latest round of hospital care and rehab.
A celebration of life service is scheduled for this Friday, Feb. 16, at 3 p.m. at Saluda Baptist Church, Saluda.
Faulkner Funeral Homes, Saluda, has assisted with final arrangements.
Merv will be greatly missed by his extended family, The Scott’s and many close friends.
