Claudine Harris Barnett, 100, a 12 year resident of Severna Park, MD, died of natural causes on December 30, 2013 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie.

Born Mary Claudine Harris on November 22, 1913 to Evan Lilburn Harris and Annie Isaacs Harris of Charleston, WV, she was raised in Charleston, cherishing her time canoeing and swimming on the Elk River where her father had purchased a fishing camp that is still in the family. Claudine received her undergraduate degree from Marshall College in 1936 and later, her Master's degree in Physical Education from West Virginia University. For several years she taught school in a coal mining camp in the Cabin Creek area of West Virginia where her first year's salary was $900.00. Claudine enlisted in the Marine Corps during WWII and was one of the earliest women admitted to Marine Officer Candidate School, earning her commission as a Second Lieutenant in August 1944. While her active service concluded with the ending of WWII, she remained a Marine at heart. In November 2013, she proudly attended the Marine Corps Commandant's Ball commemorating the 238th anniversary of the founding of the Corps. As the oldest Marine in attendance, she participated with the Commandant, in the ritual cutting of the ceremonial cake.

Claudine married John R. Barnett in Charleston in October, 1945 following his medical recuperation from 2 ½ years as a prisoner of war in Germany during WWII. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage prior to his death in 2010. In their early married years, they experienced assignments in Ohio, Bangkok, Thailand, Taipei, Taiwan and several postings to Virginia. While posted to their overseas assignments she taught biology at the International Children's Center (Bangkok) and the Taipei American School. Upon their retirement from the Air Force in 1968, they settled in Port Charlotte, FL where she taught swimming. Until age 96, Claudine taught swimming to countless children and adults, most recently at the Severna Park Community Center.


Claudine was preceded in death by her parents, her brother E. L. Harris, Jr., her sister Anne Lewis Williams, and by her husband, Lt. Col John R. Barnett, USAF Ret.

She is survived by her sons, John David Barnett (Kathy) of Utopia, TX and Stephen F. Barnett (Shirley) of Arnold, MD; Ole L. Holst (Susanne) of Copenhagen, Denmark; seven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and two great- great grandchildren, plus several nieces and nephews.

Services with Full Military Honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Family and friends should meet at the Arlington Administration Building at 12 noon.

Inurnment will follow in the Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com