Joseph Rockwell "Rocky" Barnette

Joseph Rockwell “Rocky” Barnette died October 19, 2026, at the age of 47. He was born June 15, 1979, in Asheville, North Carolina, and lived in Marfa, Texas.

He attended North Henderson High School and earned an associate degree in culinary arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. He worked in the culinary and fine dining industry for more than 25 years, led award-winning kitchens, owned and operated restaurants, and wrote the cookbook “Cooking in Marfa.”

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Naples Baptist Church, 799 Rugby Drive, Hendersonville, North Carolina.

The full obituary is at Ertel Funeral Home.