Obituary of Brett Barnes

Brett Barnes was born December 27, 1963 in Bronx, New York to Emily Toomer and Arthur Barnes. He departed this life, Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Sewell, New Jersey.

Brett was educated in the New York City School System. As a teen, he was accepted into the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. He was gifted in music and art.  He loved to draw and devoted much time and energy exercising his artistic talent. He also designed flyers for many of the rappers in the Bronx during the late 80’s and early 90’s, and tried his hand at rapping as well.  As an adult, he continued his education at the Utica School of Commerce for Computer Programming in Utica, NY.

As a young man, he married and to this union, his daughter, Toni was born. Later, on March 23, 2003, he married Carol Miller Toliver. He became a loving and nurturing father to her three children and raised them as his own.

While residing in Canastota, NY, he regularly volunteered at the International Boxing Hall of Fame where he annually mingled with the champion boxing greats of the sport. He was employed as a drug & alcohol counselor at Liberty Resources and the Center for Addiction Recovery. Upon his relocation to New Jersey, he worked for Walmart and Bancroft Neurohealth.

Brett had a pleasant personality and everyone who met him fell in love with him; adults and especially children.  He was extremely articulate and always had a story of his life experiences which would bring tears of laughter to your eyes. He also loved to cook and to eat! 

Upon accepting, Jesus Christ as his savior, Brett and his family attended Conquest Christian Center in Canastota, NY. He loved reading and studying the Bible.  His favorite scripture was Romans 8:28. In 2014, he joined and worshipped at Pilgrim’s Rest Disciples of Christ Church in West Berlin, NJ.

Brett was predeceased by his father, Arthur Barnes, and his step-father, Charles Miller.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Carol; children; Toni Barnes, Clarence (Mao), Tamika and James Toliver, step-daughter; Summer Johns, Mother; Emily Miller, siblings; Howard (Jerrilyn) McCray, Linda Barnes, Brenda Gilbert, Dee Dee Barnes, Kevin Miller, Lynn Miller, Charlotte Codrington, In-laws; James & Gloria Miller, Brother-in-law Craig Miller, 4 aunts, 1 uncle and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.