Our beloved matriarch, Mrs. Barbara Coleman Barr, age 78, peacefully departed this life to join the Lord on Saturday, April 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara was born on September 15, 1946, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to the late Elder James Aaron Coleman and Annie Coleman. She was raised in a home grounded in Christian faith and carried that foundation with her throughout her life.

She was educated in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and attended Atkins High School. In 1990, she furthered her education at Forsyth Technical Community College, earning a Microcomputing Certificate. Barbara was a dedicated and hardworking employee, spending 10 years at AT&T before retiring from Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo) after 20 years of committed service.

Barbara met and married the love of her life, the late Joseph Barr Sr. Together, they shared 45 beautiful years of marriage, filled with love and laughter. They were passionate motorcycle riders and attended the Annual Black Motorcycle Rally in Myrtle Beach, S.C. for over 40 years.

A woman of deep faith, Barbara loved the Lord with all her heart. She believed in honoring God's house and found joy in being a blessing to her Pastor. Her faith was unwavering, and she lived her life in daily service to God.

She was a devoted member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church for over 47 years, serving as a Youth Sunday School Teacher and advisor to the Youth Choir. After the passing of her husband, she joined New Direction Movement Cathedral under the leadership of her cherished Pastor Essie C. McCullough. There, she was a faithful participant in Sunday worship and Adult Sunday School, and she served diligently on the Pastor's Aide Ministry.

Affectionately known by family as Barbara Jean, she was the heart of her family—loving, generous, and steadfast. She poured her love into her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, creating a legacy of warmth and strength that will live on in each of them. Her wisdom, kindness, and unshakable support will be deeply missed.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her "super fantastic" husband of 45 years, Joseph Barr Sr.; two sons, Joseph Barr Jr. and Jasper Barr; two cherished grandsons, Will and Corey Simons; and two sisters, Louise Garlington and Pastor Sarah Hauser.

She leaves to cherish her memory: daughters, Princella (Walt Sr.) Braxton and Penny (Richard) Hodge; sons, Stan (Kelly) Barr and Anthony (Kim) Barr; grandsons, Joseph Barr III, Walter Braxton Jr., and Wesley Braxton; granddaughters, Shana Barr, Chasidy Barr, Trinity Barr, Journie Barr, Kourtney Jones, Kamryn Barr, and Kyndall Barr; great-grandchildren: Thirteen in total, each dearly loved; sisters, Juanita (Jessie) Michael, Ruby Barr, Pastor Essie McCullough, and Geneva Payne; brothers, Aaron Coleman, David (Marian) Coleman, Michael (Sharon) Coleman, Bishop Daniel (Rose) Coleman, Toney (Voncillia) Coleman, and Ben (Sylvia) Coleman; brothers-in-law, Paul Barr, Jeffrey (Jessie) Barr, and Nathaniel Barr; sister-in-law, Hattie Barr; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Russell Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 12:00noon Friday, April 11, 2025 at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Waymon Monroe, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:00noon on Friday at the Church.