Dorothy Barnhardt Obituary

Dorothy Kathleen Brooks Barnhardt passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 97.

She was born on May 1, 1928, in Guilford County to the late Mrs. Hattie Chrismon Brooks and Thomas Jefferson Brooks.

Dorothy attended beauty school in Greensboro, NC and at Rowan Cabarrus Community College. She worked for the Salisbury Police Department as a school crossing guard and in the school cafeteria. Later she worked at the Rowan County Sheriff's Department from 1986-1993 where she retired. She also worked with the Rowan-Salisbury School summer Headstart, where she helped feed children at recreational parks throughout Salisbury.

Dorothy loved gardening, cooking, watching birds, solving puzzles, and volunteering as a Salvation Army Kettle Bell Ringer during the holidays. She also loved spending time with her family.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by six brothers and three sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are her sister-in-law Bessie Brooks of Osceola, NC; son Jerry Barnhardt (wife Sandra) of Deale, MD; daughters Delores Cronin of McDonough, GA, Linda Linker (husband John) of Granite Quarry, NC, and Tamra Moore (husband Marshall) of Salisbury, NC; grandchildren Gary Cronin (wife Lisa) of McDonough, GA, Kevin Cronin of McDonough, GA, Michael Barnhardt (wife Kim) of Deale, MD, Greg Barnhardt of Deale, MD, Tim Barnhardt of Deal, MD, and Bridgen Wilbanks of Concord, NC; great-grandchildren Cory Cronin (wife Nicole) of Bossier City, LA, Ashely Barnhardt of Deale, MD, Shannon Barnhardt of Deale, MD; Tristian Wilbanks of Concord, NC, and Grayson Wilbanks of Concord, NC; as well as her fourteen nieces and nephews from around North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

A visitation will be held from 11:00-12:00pm on Saturday July 26, 2025, at Oakdale Baptist Church, 200 Charles St, Spencer, NC 28159. The service will follow at 12:00pm in the church and will be officiated by Rev Mike Lane and Rev Dale Brooks, nephew of the deceased. Graveside service will follow in the Oakdale Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Meals on Wheels of Rowan County, 720 Grove St, Salisbury, NC 28144.

Lyerly Funeral Home serves the Barnhardt family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.