Mary Catherine Thomas Barber, 81, of Tifton, died Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2014, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Gary Cadwell will officiate with interment to follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Michael Walker, Wesley Barber, Trevor Spence, Stan Mercer, David Coffey and Dr. Bill Kaiser will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 19, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mrs. Barber was born on June 7, 1933 in Cook County to the late Simm Thomas and Janie Lupo Thomas Clemons. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Chester Barber; and one granddaughter, Teresa Lott. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother that enjoyed life to the fullest. She enjoyed cooking, laughing, sharing her joy and humor with the sick and elderly and, especially, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Barber is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Vernon L. Barber, Troy and Diane Barber and Shorty and Ann Barber, all of Tifton; two daughters and one son-in-law, Cathy Lott of Omega and Mary and Ray Walker of Tifton; ten grandchildren, Jessica Spence of Albany, Michelle Eaton of Tifton, Jennifer Mercer of Tifton, Jacey Coffey of Katheleen, Kitty Taylor of Crawfordville, Florida, Christy Lott of Tifton, Betty Barber of Jacksonville, Florida, Wesley Barber of Tifton, Michael Walker of Tifton and Lindsey Kaiser of Tifton; and 21 great-grandchildren.