Jeri Lea Barnett (Deel)

Roanoke, Virginia

Jeri Lea Deel Barnett passed away peacefully, early in the morning of July 6, 2024. 

Jeri was born in Abingdon, Virginia on December 3, 1951, and grew up in Marion, Virginia. She graduated from Marion Senior High School in 1970. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Virginia Tech in 1974. Jeri then spent 25 years working as a probation and parole officer, first in Roanoke City, and then as Chief of the Franklin County Probation & Parole Office for the last 10 years of her career. As an officer, Jeri was knowledgeable, patient, understanding, and kind. She saw each person as an individual and believed in them and their ability to change their future. While working full-time, Jeri took graduate classes at Radford University and earned a Master of Criminal Justice degree in 1997. After she retired, she taught many classes in criminal justice at Virginia Western Community College and became head of that program until 2012. She also taught classes at Radford University during this time. She dedicated many hours to teaching, encouraging, and inspiring her students. She taught real-world skills, showed students how to think and solve problems, and always promoted kindness in working with others. The VWCC Criminal Justice Club thrived under her guidance. In addition to working her entire life, Jeri loved to go to yard sales and antique stores. She had her own antique booths for many years and was a master primitive decorator. She also enjoyed working in her yard, planting flowers, and finding rocks. She completed countless home projects with her mother and daughter. Jeri was happiest at Lane Stadium watching her Hokies play ball. Jeri was beautiful, intelligent, caring, and hard-working. The world is a better place because she lived in it. Her kindness and positivity will ripple into the future for years to come. She was warmth and light, and she was so very loved.

Jeri was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Deel, her mother, Joyce Glass George, her step-father, W.O. George, and her step-sister, Martha Burton.

She is survived by her daughter, Erin Lea Barnett, her brother, James Deel, her sister-in-law, Hatsumi Deel, and nieces and nephews, Nathan Burton, Marthel Burton, Jason Deel, and Erika Deel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to the Jeri Barnett Annual Scholarship for Criminal Justice at Virginia Western. Checks should be made to: Virginia Western Educational Foundation, 3093 Colonial Avenue SW, Roanoke VA 24015. Please note Jeri Barnett Annual Scholarship in the memo line. To give online with a credit card, follow this link to Virginia Western Educational Foundation - Donate Today. https://vwccef.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list; in the Search Bar type in: Jeri Barnett Annual Scholarship.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, August 18, 2024, at 3 p.m. at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home Chapel, 305 Roanoke Blvd., Salem, VA 24153, with a reception nearby to follow the service – (directions will be given at the service). All who loved Jeri are encouraged to join us in celebrating her life. 

To share memories of Jeri Lea Deel Barnett, please visit www.seaverbrown.com or www.johnmoakey.com The John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home (Salem Chapel - 305 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem Va. 24153) is serving the Barnett family.This is a courtesy announcement by Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion Va. 24354.