Florence Viola Miles Barnett, 81, of Rome, NY passed away on December 23, 2025, at

Rome Health, Rome, NY.  Born in Buffalo, NY on October 20, 1944, she was a daughter of Samuel

Miles and Lucille Buford Miles. Following her graduation from Bennett High School, Florence

obtained her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Fredonia.  She went on to receive her

master’s degree from Syracuse University.  Florence was united in marriage to Robert T.

Barnett on April 23, 1973.  Together they shared a blessed marriage until his passing in

1983.

   Florence was a beloved principal in the Rome City School District. There, she was

a listening ear for students, parents, and staff.  In her office, guidance and leadership was given,

and kindness was shown.  Florence had a way of making each person feel heard, understood, and

validated. She was fair and firm, which made her irreplaceable amongst the students

that she served loyally for so many years. She was proud of her work, and it showed in

the way she presented herself and in all ways she made the school a better

place. Her presence and role is one that will always remail highly regarded and her

legacy will be remembered for generations.

   Florence was also a force in her community where she spent a great deal of her time

advocating for causes that were beneficial to others.  She was a beloved member of the

Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Rome where she was president of the usher board,

choir and served as a missionary.  Florence wore many hats while serving her church,

each one she wore well. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), LAMBDA

Kappa MU (LKM), where she served as a charter member and former president.  She

was a member of the NYS Retired Teachers, Rome Teachers Association, Rome

Administrative Association (former president), NAACP, Afro-American Heritage Association,

Oneida County Community Action Board of Directors, Rome Community Action Head Start

Board of Directors (former president), Rome Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, and Rome Twigs.

     Florence had many gifts and joys, but her greatest of all were her beloved children and grandchildren

whom she was beyond proud of. It was for them that she worked so diligently and fought for so many

causes hoping to pave a brighter future for them. She had many accomplishments in her lifetime but

if you asked her what her greatest one was, she would not hesitate in saying her family.

    Florence is survived by her son Damond Richard, and Devi Barnett; her daughter

Charisse (Alvin) Smith; her grandchildren Marcus Brown, Yasmin Barnett, Damond Richard Barnett II;

Alexander Smith (Erianna), Evan Smith (Marlin), Madison Smith, Camren Smith; her sisters,

Mildred “Millie” Miles and Amy Miles; nieces and nephews, Michael Miles (Megan) and their children, Addison and Avery; Melinda Miles, Clarence Miles Jr., Stephanie Perry, Cynthia Perry-Smith, Sandra Perry, Richard Coleman Jr., Lizabeth Hayes, Pam (Robert) Oglesby. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert T.

Barnett; brother Clarence Miles; sisters Sydney Parry (Stephen) and Mary Coleman (Richard); and her parents Samuel and Lucille Buford Miles.

   Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 2-4 PM at Strong-Burns & Sprock

Funeral Home, 7751 Merrick Rd. Rome, NY 13440. A celebration of life will follow at 4:00 PM

with Rev. Tommy Ray Jackson and Elder Patricia Brown officiating.