Sterling Jerome Barber, 59, peacefully transitioned Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at his home on 1811 Camden Forest Drive in Winston-Salem, NC. Sterling was born in Winston-Salem and grew up in the community of Happy Hill Gardens where he had many friends and had developed into a multi-sport star athlete at Parkland High School where he graduated in 1982. Known for his lighting speed, he was recruited by several colleges and universities across the country and proudly accepted a full athletic scholarship to attend Winston-Salem State University, where he played under the leadership of legendary coach, WSSU Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Hayes.

Sterling was a serial entrepreneur and over the years, started several business ventures including a medical supply company, and "Big Ticket Boxing", a boxing promotion company, in addition to coaching football at North Forsyth High School. As a mentor, he loved pouring into young people and would give motivational speeches to sports teams, including his beloved WSSU Rams football. He did everything in his power to help others succeed and is responsible for helping several young people obtain athletic scholarships. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, uncle, mentor and friend to those closest to him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Geno Henry Barber.

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Pamela Barber of the home; his mother, Emma Crawford of Winston-Salem; his son, Antwion Covert (Tasha) of Winston-Salem; a special niece, Dr. Chelsea Cromartie (Terence) of Greensboro; five siblings, Thomas "Reggie" Crawford (Tammy), Christopher "Lump" Barber (Veronica), Joy "Malissa" Barber, and Deborah "Deb" Lybrand all of Winston-Salem, and Stacy Anderson (Neil) of New York, New York; three loving grandchildren, Destiny Covert, Desirae Covert, and Kiwion Covert; two great-granddaughters, Armanie Santamaria and Armayah Santamaria; a great-niece, Sakina Cromartie-Walker; and a host of many other nieces, nephews, uncles, cousins and loved ones.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Monday, October 3, 2022 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel, 822 Carl Russell Ave. W-S, NC with Rev. Joseph Parks officiating.  Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family visitation will be held from 1:30pm until 2:00pm on Tuesday at the Chapel.  Flowers may be sent to Russell Funeral Home.

The family asks for your continued prayers and support and would like to thank Bayada Services, Mount Eagle Health Care, and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for their service throughout the years.