Roger Lonnie Barfield Jr., of Cumming, age 71, died peacefully following a lengthy illness on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at Jekyll Island, surrounded by his loving family.
A private family funeral service will be held for Mr. Barfield on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church with Father Lonnie Lacy officiating. A graveside funeral service will be held for Mr. Barfield at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at Mount Paron Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Alapaha, where he will be laid to rest. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with Covid protocol observed.
Chad Abbott, Cole Burgess, James Barfield, Kevin Luke, Craig Howell, Mike Howell, Wayne Howell and Brian Hand will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob O'Neill, Brian Short, Ed Osgood, Glenn Doss, Grant Loosier, Jack Lott, Joel Hubbard, Lloyd Webb, Mark Redlinger, Mitchell McGraw, Roger Wilkes, Bobby Varnum, Edwin Cardona, Jack Watson, Leslie Parkman, Danny Smallwood and Shel Ward.
He was born on July 19, 1949, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Mamie Stephens Barfield of Tifton and the late Roger Lonnie Barfield Sr.
He was a graduate of Tift County High School’s class of 1967 and a graduate of Florida State University where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, serving as secretary. He has contributed to the ATO Foundaton throughout the years.
Roger began working at the age of 15 delivering furniture for Barfield’s Furniture Store, owned by his parents. He was associated with this store and a partner with Prestige Carpets until 1997 when the store closed. He then formed Bestco, Inc., a furniture liquidation business. He was well respected in the furniture industry and always willing to help and counsel any furniture store owner. His phone rang frequently with calls from vendors seeking his advice which he gave freely and joyfully.
Roger loved his family and enjoyed fishing, cooking, boating, and FSU football! His greatest past time was watching his grandsons play ball. Roger was always friendly and pleasant and never met a stranger– he loved people and enjoyed life.
Throughout his illness, Roger courageously faced each day exhibiting profound humility and gratitude while showing concern for others.
He is survived by his dear 92-year-old mother Mamie; Kay Martin Barfield, his loving wife of 45 years; daughter, Laura Alexis Swanson; son, Roger Lonnie (Lon) Barfield III (Heather); grandsons, Nate and Nic Swanson and Brayden Barfield; sister, Betty Ann Lindsey (Tommy); and brother, Ronald Barfield (Martha); nieces and nephews, Leigh Ann Burgess (Cole), Lauren Abbott (Chad), James Barfield, Elizabeth Lamenick; and great- nephew, Mason Burgess.
The family has designated St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 889, Tifton GA 31793; or the Alpha Tau Omega Foundation, 333 North Alabama Street, Suite 220, Indianapolis, IN 46204, for honorariums in Roger’s memory.