Daniel Dencil Barnett

July 25, 1947 – February 24, 2026

Daniel Dencil Barnett, 78, of Crossville, passed away February 24, 2026.

Born July 25, 1947, in Crossville to Dailey Alexander and Hazel Oakes Barnett, he attended Cumberland County High School, earned his GED, and enlisted in the United States Army in 1964. He completed training at Fort Knox and Fort Benning, served with the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, and deployed to Vietnam beginning in 1965. Working with scout dogs from 1966, he later instructed at Fort Benning and completed seven years of service, ending in 1971. His honors include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Two Purple Heart medals, Good Conduct Medal, and three Vietnamese service medals.

In 1975, he married Betty Barnett and welcomed a daughter, Mandy. He later married Elvie Barnett.

He worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority operating heavy equipment and in the 1980’s started his own business, Barnett Excavating. He also helped develop Fairfield Glade, including construction of Dartmoor Lake. He built numerous roads, lakes and ponds throughout Cumberland County.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Lucrecia Bond and Opal Davidson; and his former wife, Betty Barnett.

Survivors include his daughter, Mandy; sisters, Ava Cummins, Kathy Fenwick and Karlene Taylor; nieces, Jeanette Parsons, Tracy Floyd, Tammy Batchelor, Cherie Baber, Angelec Fenwick, and Alicia Stearley; nephews, Eddie Davidson, Tom Bond, Glenn Fenwick, and Phillip Fenwick; numerous great-nieces and nephews; cousins, Gerald Godsey and Tim Oakes; and close friends in the Sequatchie Valley, Lindell Agee, Bob Morgan, and Walter Tollett.

Services will be held at Crossville Memorial on February 28, 2026, with visitation at 11:00 a.m. and funeral at 2:00 p.m.