Mr. John Levert Barlow

John Levert Barlow, 83, passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021. He was born on November 14, 1938 in Hazlehurst, MS. He grew up in Ellisville, MS. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and received his M. ED. from Mississippi College. He taught at Tyndall Air Force Base School, Panama City, FL and Jackson Public Schools. He worked as an administrator in Holmes County (MS) Schools and the Mississippi State Department of Education.

While in Panama City, Florida, he met Helen Claire Taylor, another teacher. John and Claire married on June 8, 1963. They were married 56 years.

John enjoyed serving the Lord in many ways in the various churches he attended. He was a deacon. He felt a deep need to serve in missions at home and abroad as commanded in Acts 1:8 (...you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth). When he could not go on mission trips, he helped send others. He and Claire had continued to help with funding the building of a church in the Philippines.

John and Claire sought to have people of all ages in their lives, children through senior adults. They enjoyed being with young adults and their children for games, parties, and holiday meals. John and Claire set up a scholarship for students in the field of education at Blue Mountain College. John always liked doing things for others, be it constructing nativity sets, preparing and taking over a dish or meal, or helping with errands. Working with senior adults was always a joy, whether planning and hosting Christmas luncheons for them, dropping in for brief visits, or driving them to church, and other functions. When people tried to not accept an offer, he would reply “Don’t steal my joy.”

John tried to be on time or a bit early for any appointments, invitations, and church. He was a big planner. He liked to have road trips or tours mapped out day by day, including departure times and arrival times, be it by car, train, or plane.

In addition to his wife, Claire, he is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Nell Barlow, his brother Tim Barlow, and his niece, Tammy Barlow Hasting. He is survived by his brother Gerald Barlow (Dimple), his nephews Brian Barlow (Dawn) and Chris Barlow (Jessica), as well as many great nieces and nephews and special friends who will miss him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morrison Heights Baptist Church Missions, 3000 Hampstead Blvd., Clinton, MS and/or Hospice of North Alabama, 2457 Mall Road, Florence, AL, 35630 as they provided great care and comfort for him in his last days.

All visitation and services will be held at Morrison Heights Baptist Church, 3000 Hampstead Blvd., Clinton, MS. Visitation will be Thursday, December 30 from 9-11. The funeral service will be Thursday, December 30 from 11-12.