Dr. Roy Manning Barber's Obituary
Dr. Roy Manning Barber, 98, passed away February 11, 2016. He was born September 14, 1917 to Edward and Prudence Barber in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A child of the Depression, he worked his way through school as a Newsboy and always found deep support through his religious faith. Drafted into the Army as a Medic in 1941, he served with valor in the European theater, earning a bronze star for bravery in his attempt to rescue a soldier under fire. After the war Roy married Oma Fulton, the love of his life, and they moved to Memphis. He went to University of Tennessee Medical School and specialized in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry. He practiced at the VA Hospital for 25 years. Upon retirement he undertook a new life as a song writer and wrote several hymns for several local choirs. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Oma for 14 years as her Alzheimer’s illness progressed. They were married for 56 years. He attended Second Baptist Church and Colonial Baptist Church. Dr. Barber lived a long life of service and music. He is survived by his only son, Roy Barber, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Elese Sizemore of Washington DC; granddaughter, April Sizemore-Barber also of Washington DC; and his sister, Mary Parker of St. Louis, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 12 and his funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 13 all at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will take place at 3 p.m. at Lorimer Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”
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