Larry A. Barrett
74, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Colonial Funeral Home for Larry A. Barrett, 74, of Columbia, who died on Wednesday, May 2, at his residence in the Goss community. Burial followed in the Foxworth Cemetery. Rev. Ralph Sanford and Rev. Mark McArthur officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 4, and from 11 a.m. until the time of the services on Saturday, May 5, at Colonial Funeral Home.
He was born Jan. 30, 1944, to John Clifton Barrett Sr. and Nita Floyd Barrett, both of whom have preceded him in death. A native of Foxworth, Larry founded “Barrett’s Garden Center” in 1977 on High School Avenue in Columbia. His high standard of offering quality plants and landscaping supplies enabled him to enlarge his business. He and his wife, Gloria, soon moved the business to its current location on Old U.S. 98 East. He developed his own formula for potting soil and desire to market high-quality plant products gained him wide-spread notoriety among his customers as well as his colleagues in both the retail and wholesale nursery industry. He served on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Nurserymen’s Association, a chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and was elected as president of the association by a panel of 480 members.
He was also an avid hunter, marksmen and fisherman. He particularly loved to take safari hunting trips to Africa and has several exotic trophies as a result of his trips. He also enjoyed spending time with loved ones, particularly his two grandchildren and was a member of Goss Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Gloria Barrett; daughter, Perry Ann Barrett-Byler; two brothers, John Barrett (Beverly) of Tylertown and Louis Barrett (Linda) of St. Bernard, La.; two grandchildren, Zoe Byler and Gabriel Byler, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Chris Barrett, Todd Barrett, Caleb Barrett, Darryl Ryals, Joe Willoughby, Mike Moree, Brandon Parrett and Steve Ballew. Honorary pallbearers were all of his former employees.
View and sign register book at www.colonialfuneralhomes-ms.com.
Colonial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
