Barry Roberts DeWitt

Barry Roberts DeWitt (of Buford, GA) left this world on Friday, September 20^th at 71, after an arduous battle against congenital heart disease and early onset Parkinson’s. Barry was born in Connellsville, PA on December 8^th, 1952 to Bud and Doris DeWitt, one of six, bless his mother’s heart. While he was one more mouth to feed, he was a blessing to his parents; the most important thing to Barry was family, and taking care of his family was a choice he made easily and often. Barry is survived by his brothers: Doug Dewitt of Houston, TX, Ernie DeWitt of Toccoa, GA and Sisters: Kelly Kearney of Buford, GA and Kathy Doyle of Boca Raton, FL. His siblings could all tell you stories about how he took care of them after their brother Bill had a life altering accident when they were young.

He met his wife while flipping flapjacks at his local pancake house, our mother was a sucker for an apron and his bright, blue eyes. Our mother came with attitude and rules against dating, and my father took on the challenge wholeheartedly. They would eventually prove everyone wrong and in June of 1975, Barry married Judith Dannice Mathews, their love would last 42 years until Judy passed in 2017.

Barry DeWitt was steadfast, he was loyal, he was dedicated, generous, honest, and he had the most impressive work ethic in town. Barry worked as a top chef, mechanic, lawn care specialist, packaging pro, he worked days and went to night school to get his bachelor's degree, until he finally made it to Quality Assurance Specialist in packaging and distribution. 

Barry was also the World's Greatest Dad, those mugs were made for him. He is survived by his loving children: Kristopher Daniel DeWitt and wife, Paige of Athens, GA, Craig Willard DeWitt and wife, Dawn of Jefferson, GA and Lauren Joy DeWitt and husband, Sahib Patheja of Marietta, GA.

While you’d think Barry couldn’t get better, he did; as he became a grandfather for the first time when Elijah Daniel DeWitt was born in 2004. Elijah’s birth was his proudest memory, and Elijah’s death, the hardest. He is survived by his favorite people, his grandchildren: the strongest, sassiest girls he was always so impressed with: Avery Elizabeth DeWitt, Delaney Grace DeWitt, and Isla Jude Patheja. He spent his last years bragging about them and spoiling them, and they will always remember him as their biggest fan.

Although gone too soon for many, Barry DeWitt brightened the lives of the people around him.  If you were loved by him, you were protected by him, and continuously spooked by him: a tap on the opposite shoulder, an unstoppable fist, a pre prepared ghost launching out of the mist. He could ghoul your makeup in minutes, give you werewolf hair, throw together a ghost picture shoot last second to give your friends a scare. He’d lure you to abandoned houses or drive you a top a haunted hill, he’d sit and do homework with you for hours, and leave you the best burnt popcorn pieces in the bowl. He loved you, really loved you, for exactly who you are. He lived the kind of life we should all strive to live, and he always did it without expecting any credit. 

We still had so much to learn from you Barry DeWitt, but you gave us everything you could until you knew it was time. And while we’ve been left orphaned there is something beautiful and hopeful about you reuniting with the love of your life, being whole again. We were all so lucky to know a love like yours, a laugh like yours, a kindness like yours. We will miss you until we’re with you again.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 5:00 PM at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel. Pastor Jim Carey will officiate. The family will receive friends for the viewing Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Elijah DeWitt Foundation at https://gofund.me/60c17a69.

Share memories of Barry at hamiltonmillchapel.com

Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924