Rethel M. Barber

Rethel Barber of Jonesboro went to his heavenly home on January 14, 2019. He was 81 years old and a resident of St. Elizabeth’s Nursing Home. He was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Village Creek, an Army veteran, a friend to many, but most important to him, he was a Dad and a Papa. Rethel was an avid fisherman and loved coon hunting. He shared many stories and jokes, and found enjoyment in all of God’s creation as he shared his love of nature with those around him. His brain teasers and anecdotes such as ‘It takes a mighty big grasshopper to eat a bale of hay’ were part of his jovial personality. He is survived by; two sons,:Dr. Jeff Barber and wife Debra of Jonesboro and Justin Barber of Jonesboro; one daughter: Jennifer Cook and husband Bryan of Wooster; six granddaughters: Jennifer Nicole, Keighley, Lindsey, Emily, Lauren and Anna; three grandsons: Andrew, Austin, and Adam; two brothers, Roy and Wallace Barber of Jonesboro; one sister, Gina Riccio of St. Louis, Missouri; countless friends, including two special friends: Billy Guy Douglas and John Lewis of Wynne, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by; his parents: Jeff and Hattie Barber; two siblings: J.W. Prater and Betty Lea. A celebration of his life will be in Jonesboro at Roller-Farmer’s Union Funeral Home on Sunday, January 20th, where friends and family may gather between 1-2, prior to the service at 2. A private burial of ashes will occur at the VA Cemetery in Birdeye at a later date. For a lasting memorial, please consider Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Soaring Wings Ranch, P.O. Box 1670, Conway, AR 72033