Benny J. Barber
83, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at East Columbia Baptist Church for Benny J. Barber, 83, of Columbia, who left this life to enter his heavenly home on Saturday, Aug. 31. Burial followed in Singley Cemetery. Rev. Dave Nichols and Rev. Tommy Broom officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at Colonial Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the services on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at East Columbia Baptist Church.
He was born on Feb. 15, 1941, in Columbia where he remained a lifelong resident. After attending Columbia High School, he served six years in the Army National Guard and worked more than 30 years as a butcher and with his years of experience, you could not pass off a sirloin as a ribeye. He was considered a grill master of the ribeye. After retiring from the market business, he started his own lawn service. He was an active member of East Columbia Baptist Church where he served in the choir and men’s brotherhood. He loved fishing, his church and his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Barber and Lucille Langston Barber; sisters, Elois Summers and Mary Nell Fortenberry; and brother, Kenneth Louis Barber.
Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Walters Barber; son, Bryan Barber; daughters, Cindy Famularo (Ronnie), Kim Mobley (Mark) and Pennie Broom (Clay); son, Reggie Williamson; brothers, Harril Barber and Wayne Barber; sisters, Wanda Broom, Elaine Crain (Harold), Carolyn Barber and Carol Barber; 10 grandchildren, Shenna Strong (Brandon), Scott Johnson (Katie), Meagan Aviles (Ignacio), Caleb Hynum (Molly), Alex Redditt, Hayden Williamson, Lexie Grace Taylor, Meg Broom, Kip Williamson and Rhett Williamson; nine great-grandchildren, Parker Johnson, Preslyn Johnson, Dayten Johnson, Emme Strong, Hayes Strong, Kinley Aviles, Miles Aviles, Alaina Aviles and Daniel Aviles; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Brandon Strong, Scott Johnson, Caleb Hynum, Alex Redditt, Kip Williamson, and Rhett Williamson. Honorary pallbearers were the East Columbia Baptist Church Men's Brotherhood.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Benny's memory may be made to East Columbia Baptist Church Building Fund; and Alzheimer's Foundation of America, alzfdn.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomes-ms.com for the Barber family. Arrangements were entrusted to Colonial Funeral Home.
