Richard Martin Barber

BARBER-The Rev. Dr. Richard Martin Barber, 83, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at Brookview Healthcare Center in Gaffney, S.C. Born in Gainesville, Florida, he was the husband of Dorothy Jean Matthews Barber and the son of the late George Alan Barber and Emma Lucille Barber. He was a United States Marine, having served in WW II in the Occupation of Japan, and in the Korean War. He received his Doctorate of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; received his Masters in English from the University of Florida and received his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He retired as the Director of the Annuity Board of the Florida Baptist Convention. Dr. Barber served the Lord in ministry for 60 plus years in Florida, as well as in Louisiana and Mississippi and was a member of Arlington Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. His greatest joy in life was encouraging others to walk in the light of Christ’s love. In addition to his wife, also surviving are three sons, Richard Martin Barber, Jr. and wife, Andrea, of Saginaw, Texas, Rev. Bruce Barber and wife, Lisa of Bedford, Texas and Chet Barber and wife, Michell of Haltom City, Texas; a daughter, Sherri Varner and husband, James of Gaffney, S.C.; ten grandchildren, Daniel Seagle, Josh Barber, Lauren Seagle, Richard Barber, III, Amelia Barber, Hope Barber, Cydney Barber, James Barber, Clary Varner and Josh Duncan. Dr. Barber was preceded in death by a son, Chris Barber; and a brother, Chester Barber. Funeral services with Military Honors will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 7, in Arlington Baptist Church with The Rev. Joe Newton, The Rev. Dr. John Sullivan, The Rev. Dr. Clarence Hackett, The Rev. Bruce Barber and The Rev. Dr. Ron Rowe officiating. Interment will follow 3:00 p.m. Friday in Forest Meadows Memorial Park East, Hawthorne Road, Gainesville, Florida. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 6, at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Christopher M. Barber Scholarship for Ministers, c/o Baptist College of Florida, 5400 College Dr., Graceville, FL 32440.