Herbert Marion Barber, Sr.

Mr. Herbert Marion Barber, Sr., age 80, of Blackshear, passed away early Tuesday morning (3/17/20) at Harborview Pierce County following an extended illness.

Born February 13, 1940 in Pierce County, he was a son of the late Hamon and Polly Meadows Barber.  He was a veteran, having served in the US Army from 1960-1962 in Germany as a missile crewman.   He retired in 2005 as the Superintendent of Public Works for the City of Blackshear, had served as the City of Blackshear Fire Chief, and along with his wife, Lynn, had owned a successful catering business for 19 years. 

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Blackshear, where he attended the Enriched Sunday School Class, the Joy Group Lunch Bunch, served on the Bereavement Committee, and was an usher. He was a former member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he was ordained as a Deacon in 1977, a former Sunday school teacher, church treasurer, and RA Director.

He loved growing flowers, especially “piddling” in the daylily beds and was a member of the South Georgia Daylily Society.  He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren who he said “made life grand”.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Dr. Sherrie Lynn Cowan; great-granddaughter, Lillie Caroline Cox; two sisters, Margie Beckner of Summerfield, FL and Mary Myers of Lady Lake, FL; one brother, Steve Barber of Lexington, NC.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Lynn Gailey Barber; children, Dr. Herbert M. Barber, Jr. (wife Robin) of Savannah, GA and Suzanne Denison (husband George) of Blackshear; son-in-law, Gene F. Cowan of Patterson; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Adam) Cox of Blackshear, Alexis (Donald) Crumbley of Ruskin, Brandon Barber of Statesboro, Lindsey Denison of Blackshear, Clay Denison of Athens, and Natalie Barber of Statesboro; two great-granddaughters, Abbie Lynn Crumbley of Ruskin and Gracie Claire Cox of Blackshear; 4 special “adopted grandchildren”, Coleman Lee and Mary Grace Norris of Patterson, and Addyson and Brylee Walker of Blackshear; siblings, Sonny (Virginia) Barber of Waynesville, GA, Peggy Dixon of Blackshear, Larry (Anne) Barber of Waycross, Bobby (Leny) Barber of Blackshear; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A graveside funeral service will take place Thursday (3/19/20) at 11 a.m. at Blackshear City Cemetery.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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