Volney Barrett was an extraordinary young journalist – Press Association
THE PRESS Association of Jamaica (PAJ) joins the Western Jamaica Media Association (WJMA) in mourning the sudden passing of Western Mirror’s bright young journalist Volney Barrett, who died on Wednesday.
Barrett, who worked as a freelance journalist and subeditor with Western Mirror, was often described as a hardworking, thorough and familyoriented individual.
The editor-in-chief of the Western Mirror, Lloyd B. Smith said, “Volney was an integral part of the Western Mirror, where he began his career in journalism.”
According to Smith, “He was a ver y diligent and competent member of staff who was loved by his colleagues and friends.”
Though only 32 years old, Barrett’s contributions to the field of journalism in western Jamaica have been described as powerful and compelling.
“I remember Volney Barrett as an extraordinary young journalist, whose work I admired immensely and often tried to emulate. For me, his feature stories, which was where his soul shone through, were always memorable, compelling and engaging. You just couldn’t put down his stories after you began reading them,” remarked Zaheer E. Clarke, PAJ’s liaison representative for western Jamaica.
“Outside of journalism, Volney was an outstanding human being who was loved by all. Undoubtedly, his family, friends, the Western Mirror family and western Jamaica have lost a true gem,” Clarke added.
Also described as an avid Christian, Barrett was deeply involved in the development of youngsters in his church community. At his home assembly – King’s Chapel United Pentecostal Church – Barrett was noted for preparing youngsters for Bible quiz competitions.
“We regret the passing of yet another member of the media community,” says PAJ president Dion ne Jackson Miller .“It’ s especially sad given Volney ’s young age, and the body of work he had already started to build.”