Michalle T. Barnett, 53, passed away on June 14, 2020, after a short and unexpected illness.
She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and academic professional.
She was the chair of the Language and Literature Division at Gulf Coast State College for the last 10 years of her life. She was also a gifted and enthusiastic professor of literature and composition and enjoyed helping her students achieve success.
Born in Portland, Oregon, Michalle grew up and attended school in Uriah, AL. After high school, she graduated from Patrick Henry Junior College with an A.A. and the University of Montevallo with a B.A. and M.A. in English. Her 28-year career was spent at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama State Southern Community College, and Gulf Coast State College.
As a life-long avid reader, Michalle was known to juggle reading several books at a time with topics varying from great, classic literature to romance novels. She often said that getting paid to talk to students about the literature she so loved was her dream job, and she spent countless hours helping and encouraging her students. Outside of her professional career, she was always an interested and creative cook and enjoyed sharing recipes on Pinterest and with colleagues. Michalle was well known for her sunny disposition and most of all, for her laugh. Her laugh was a sound that would light up any room with its volume and joy. She was a happily involved mother to Leslie, and they often crafted and created everything from blankets to Christmas tree decorations, to special meals for her family.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Thompson, her daughter, Leslie, her parents, Kathlene and Chester Barnett of Uriah, Alabama, her brother, Matthew Barnett (Audrey) also of Uriah, Alabama, and by her sister, Kim Barnett (David Wong) of Cary, North Carolina. She is also survived by two step-daughters, Melissa Thompson and Amanda Reynolds.
A private family service was held in Michalle’s honor. Because she was a passionate animal lover, her family requests that friends and family make donations in her honor to The Humane Society of Bay County, 1600 Bay Ave., Panama City, FL 32405.
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