Mr. James Barr, Jr., was born the first of ten children, on the 6th day of January 1947 in Oxford, Mississippi, to the late James & Adell Wadlington Barr.
James accepted Christ at an early age at South Salem Baptist Church. In his early teens, he joined Second Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastors M.T Moore and Leroy Wadlington. He later joined Springfield Missionary Baptist Church where he faithfully attended until his health declined. He received his last communion this month at his home by Pastor Jerry Malone and the Deacon Ministry of Springfield M. B. Church.
James received his education from Oxford City schools and was a 1965 graduate of Central High School. He was employed as the Head Butcher at Jitney Jungle, Sunflower, Liberty, Sav-A-Lot and Stokes Grocery Stores and always worked tirelessly to support his family. He enjoyed his job, attending church, hunting, fishing, pool, and spending time with his family.
James met and married the love of his life, Mary Jane Gates, on July 29, 1968, and to this union four children were born.
On the early morning of Thursday, March 10th, the Heavenly Master’s voice summoned, and James quietly answered the Master’s call.
He leaves to cherish his memories; three daughters, Camilla (Everette) Goolsby of Waterford MS, Marilyn (Anthony) Barr and Claressa (Bryant) Pettis, both of Oxford, MS; two grandsons whom he raised as his own, Jeremy (Chrystal) Barr of Panama City, FL and La’Jayvesus Lewis of Abbeville, MS; bonus sons, Thomas Wayne Anderson of Racine, WI and Taurean Casey of Pensacola, FL; bonus daughter, Urshala (Dave) Joseph of Oxford, MS; grandchildren, Loretta, Bre'Anna, Kalif, Shuntavius, Evertnequa, Sha'Brya, Mary Alyson, NaShala, A'Niya, and Neshara; great grandchildren, Zyterria, Ania, Anetrice, Jalyn, Saylor, Kaidence, Karstyn Jevin, Ne'Veah, and LaKeisha; three sisters, Sandra (Edward) Fondren, Debra (Arlee) Rose, and Jacqueline (James) Smith all of Oxford, MS; four brothers, Joel (Debra Lois) Barr, Oddis (Loretta) Barr, Wm. Donnell Barr, and Warren (Dominque) Barr all of Oxford, MS; 6 sisters-in-laws, Flora Dean Barr, Alma Higginbottom, Dorothy Smith, Shirley Mitchell, Flossie Ragland, Mary Anderson; two brothers-in-law, Dwain Gates and Charles Ragland, and a host of host of other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Barr; a son, Baby Barr; parents, James and Adell Barr; brothers, Clarence and Edward Charles Barr, grandparents, Molly Barr, Joe and Mary Shaw-Wadlington.