of Cecil, AR

November 1, 1942 - September 16, 2024

Robert (Bob) Sherman Barbee, age 81, departed from his earthly home to be with his Lord and Savior and rejoin with his wife, Sherry, on September, 16, 2024.

Bob, the fourth born of eleven, was born at home in Brooken, Oklahoma to Monroe and Iva Mae (Bush) Barbee on November 1, 1942.

Bob attended elementary school at Brooken School before it was closed and moved to Sand Ridge School, both located in the Brooken area and then attended high school in Quinton, Oklahoma before meeting Sherry Marie Rackley of Paris, Arkansas while she visited her maternal aunt in Bob's hometown of Brooken.

The two married on June 9, 1962 under a ''shade tree'' at a ''junk yard'' in Leflore County, Oklahoma by ''Preacher Purdom'' of Hoyt, Oklahoma, with Bob's dad and a surprised yard mechanic as witnesses and after a couple years, made their permanent home of nearly 60 years together in Paris, living close to Sherry's family.

After Sherry had an early onset miscarriage around the time of losing her dad to cancer in 1966, they went on to have many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren together. During a school project interview, one of Bob's grandsons asked his Papa, ''What is the best thing that ever happened to you?'' Bob's answer was, ''Sherry''.

Bob was an exceptional mechanic by trade and was acknowledged for his extreme hard work ethic and capabilities. He worked for various construction companies, dairies and farms in Oklahoma and Arkansas and helped many local people for years. He also cut wood, plowed gardens with a team of mules and marketed furs at the County Line Sale Barn on Wednesdays.

As a young man, he worked on the construction of the Eufaula Dam in Haskell County, Oklahoma, which was completed and dedicated by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. After settling in Paris, he began helping his father-in-law, JD Rackley with his bottom land crops in Paris, which led to him working at Vines Dairy in Paris for more than a decade. He also worked some at the charcoal plant, as a night watchman around the square and helped keep a local car wash functional, all in Paris.

He began working at the Paris School District in 1977 at the age of 34, where he worked and served the district as a driver, mechanic and then as the transportation superintendent for a total of 26 years until retiring at age 60. He lost his dad to cancer in 1977, right after accepting his position at the school. Bob and several others employed at the school, which sometimes included Sherry and her co-workers from the school cafeteria, spent many years working, camping and fishing together.

After retiring, he started helping his son-in-law with mechanic needs and was employed again for another 20 years at MDS Construction, Inc. and Precision Rathole, Inc. in Ozark, Arkansas, where his son-in-law, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and at times, his wife, were all blessed to work alongside him.

Bob and Sherry were avid campers and Bob loved to fish. He served many big family functions with Arkansas River catfish he personally caught. Once while camping, Bob heard his son-in-law and daughter mention they were out of ice in their family's ice chest. The next morning, there was an electric deep freeze sitting in front of their camper, full of ice.

Bob also loved to hunt, especially coon hunt on mule back, with his son and later his grandson. He also hunted with his good friend, Joe Walker, while Sherry hung out with her best friend, Barbara Walker. He always had multiple hunting and house dogs, which included Lightning and Rose, most recently.

After his second retirement, Bob moved to Cecil, Arkansas to be close to family. His great-grandchildren are known to say, ''It's broken, Papa Bob can fix it.''. Bob attended church at Oak Grove Community Church in Cecil. He attended church even on days his aging health would barely allow him to walk and was baptized on October 22, 2023.

Bob's son, Bobby Dolen Barbee and daughter-in-law, Ronda Cherise (Farnam) Barbee of Paris; daughter, Sandra Pauline Morris and son-in-law, David Manson Morris of Cecil and daughter, Carrie Lyn Owens and son-in-law, D'Wayne Lee Owens of Clarksville, Arkansas, formerly of Paris, spent a lifetime living close by and enjoying life with their mom and dad.

Carrying their Papa to his final resting place include Bob's grandsons, Logan Eli Barbee, Kelvin David Morris, Mattheus Robert Allen Owens, Kaleb D'Wayne Lee Owens, Cameron Dallas Cole Owens and grandson-in-law, Garrison Dan DeArmond. Also helping carry his Uncle is Kenneth Paul McCubbin, son of Bob's late sister-in-law, Lucille (Rackley).

Honoring their papa with a dozen single red roses include granddaughters, Kelsea Sheree (Morris) DeArmond, Lynzee Alexis Owens and Sydnee Leann Owens; granddaughter-in-law, Abbie Nicole (Heissler) Morris and great-granddaughters, Alayna Marie DeArmond, Amelia Grace DeArmond, Alivia Danielle DeArmond, Naomi Sue Morris and Dalila Iva Mae Owens Figueroa; future granddaughter-in-law, Nikol Figueroa and future step great-granddaughters, Mia Figueroa and Aria Figueroa.

In addition to his wife and parents, Bob was preceded in death by siblings, Linda (infant), Sharon (Poodle), Carrie (Fuzzy), Jessie (Stud) and Troy. He still has living siblings, Willene, Utah, Pauline (Polly), Glinda (Lucy) and Herschel (Bo) at the time of his passing.

In addition to all the dedicated and loving family members listed above, Bob was adored, respected and looked up to by many in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and others in the community as he was always willing to help anyone at any time.

Services under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris are being held on Friday, September 20, 2024 with visitation at 10 AM followed by a Celebration of Life at 11 AM at Oak Grove Community Church in Cecil. Burial beside his wife, Sherry, will be at 2 PM at Oakwood Cemetery in Paris. Officiants will be Pastor Joe Hobbs and Carrie Ann (Roberts) Porter, a friend who became family.

Plants or donations made to Oak Grove Community Church can be sent to 3302 N. 18th Street, Ozark, Arkansas 72949.

Sign Guestbook

11 Condolence(s)