Jessie Laura Barber

Jessie Laura Barber, 85, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024. Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 11 am at St. James Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Peaceful Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. Visitations will be held Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 4pm to 6pm at Griffin Mortuary. Jessie Laura Barber was born January 1, 1939, to the parentage of Estella Alexander and James Williams. She attended Dunbar High School. She married Willie Barber on September 12, 1955, and they had one daughter. She accepted Christ at a young age. She was a member of St. James Baptist Church, Friendship Holy Baptist Church, and was First Lady of Church of the Living God PG&T. She received her Missionary License in Dallas, TX in 1983.

 She was employed as a domestic worker and food service worker, “Big Mama”, was cherished and known for her delectable desserts. She was a source of solace and people often depended on her soothing words.

 Jessie is preceded in death by her parents Queen Estella Alexander and James Williams, her brothers L. V. Davis, Carl Williams, LJ McCallan, and Lura Stevens, her sisters Dorothy Moye, Percy Williams, and Joyce Adams, her husband Willie Barber, daughter Annie Russell, her granddaughter Natalie Russell, great grandsons Michael Brisco and Kivalier Russell, her great granddaughter KiVahh Russell, and her sister-in-law Irene Evans.

 Jessie leaves behind to cherish her memory, her brother L.C. Alexander (Bernice), her son-in-law Paul Russell, her grandson Reginald Russell, Sr. (Anita), her great grandchildren Kierra Russell (Kierston), Reginald Russell, Jr., Kiyanla Russell, Xzereas Russell, and Kimaje Russell, her great-great granddaughters Shamyia Russell, Keevyaé Russell, Kamyiah Russell, and Kaedrian Russell, her niece Roshon Martin, her nephews Durral Evans and Edward Williams, and a host of other relatives and friends.