Lena Anne Sharp Barrett, of Knoxville, went to be with the Lord on July 8, 2025, surrounded by 

her loving family. She was born June 17, 1936, to August “Aug” and Charlotte Davis Sharp of Caryville, Tennessee. Lena Anne was married for nearly 50 years to her beloved husband with whom she’s now reunited in Heaven, long-time Knoxville reporter John R. (Bob) Barrett. Together, they also operated Leslie-Barrett Photography in South Knoxville, specializing in her renowned restorations of cherished family pictures and photographic oil portraiture. Many of her restorations and photographic oils are on display in the homes of her beloved customers as well as at Berry Funeral Home on Chapman Highway, The Kings Academy of Knoxville and the portrait of Bonny Kate Sevier at Marble Springs State Historical Site. Lena Anne also loved pouring her time and talents into young people as a leader of the Knox County 4-H Photography Project Group and a proud South-Young High Band Parent. She was a graduate of Jacksboro High School and attended Lincoln Memorial University before graduating from the University of

Tennessee. She was a lifelong fan of UT sports & enjoyed the UT baseball team’s journey to their National Championship in 2024.

In addition to her parents and husband, Lena Anne was predeceased by her loving aunts and uncles Lena and Crosby Murray and Frankie and Cab Callaway of Knoxville, her in-laws Riley (Bonar) Barrett and Rowena Barrett Ward and stepfather Benny Ward, all of Oak Ridge, brother-in-law David Barrett and nephew Thomas Barrett of Idaho. 

She is survived by her children, Steve (Melissa) Barrett of Signal Mountain, TN and Susan (Stephen) Silvers of Knoxville, her cherished grandsons William Silvers and Nicholas Barrett, sisters-in-law Clare Barrett of Idaho and Judy (David) Birdwell of Knoxville and stepsister Jane Meredith of Florida, nephew Alan Barrett and nieces Leslie Birdwell and Jodie Birdwell (Greg) Brown and their children, and three cousins who were like sisters to her, Frankie Sharp (Gerry) Hiatt of Indiana, Pat Sharp Brown, of Jacksboro and  Dolores Cross Bartley of Morristown. Special thanks to UT Hospice and nurses Stephanie, Faith, Autumn and Tina for their care. 

Services will be held on Saturday, July 19, at Cross-Smith Funeral Home, LaFollette, TN, with visitation beforehand from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Service will follow the visitation, with Pastor Dave Thomas officiating. Interment will follow the service at Woodlawn Cemetery in LaFollette. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Caryville, TN 119 Church Street Caryville, Tn 37714.

Arrangements by Cross-Smith Funeral Home.

Condolences may be given online to the family of Lena Barrett at http://www.cross-smithfuneralhome.com .

Related