Benny J. Barber, 83, left this life to enter his heavenly home on Saturday, August 31, 2024. He was born on February 15, 1941 in Columbia, MS where he remained a lifelong resident. After attending Columbia High School, Benny 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. Benny 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.
Mr. Barber 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. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Walters Barber; his son, Bryan Barber; daughters, Cindy Famularo (Ronnie), Kim Mobley (Mark), Pennie Broom (Clay); son, Reggie Williamson; brothers, Harril Barber, and Wayne Barber; sisters, Wanda Broom, Elaine Crain (Harold), Carolyn Barber, and Carol Barber; a sister-in-law, Judy Barber; ten 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.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM at East Columbia Baptist Church where friends may visit from 10:00 AM until service time. Reverend Dave Nichols and Reverend Tommy Broom will officiate and burial will follow at Singley Cemetery assisted by Brandon Strong, Scott Johnson, Caleb Hynum, Alex Redditt, Kip Williamson, and Rhett Williamson as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will include 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
