Mr. Arthur Barbee, Jr.

BARBEE, Mr. Arthur Jr. - Age 97, passed away Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Heartland Heathcare-Fosterian in Flushing, MI. Family hour 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Foss Ave. Baptist Church, 1159 E. Foss Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Reginald G. Flynn Pastor. Interment Sunset Hills Association, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 a.m. Saturday. Mr. Barbee will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. to receive friends. In loving memory of Mr. Arthur “Jack” Barbee Jr. who was born in Shannon, Mississippi on September 15th in the year 1918. His mother was Cliffie (Hill) Barbee and his father was Arthur Barbee Sr. Mr. Arthur Barbee Jr. married Earlene Tardy from the town of Verona, Lee County, in the State of Mississippi on May 19th in the year 1941. They celebrated seventy two years of marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Barbee moved to Flint, Michigan after their loving daughter, Norma was born. Arthur leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted daughter Norma Fairhurst, and four grandchildren. The eldest grandchild, Jacqueline Earlene, his grandsons Donald, Norman Jr., and the youngest grandchild, Lisa Barbee Reed, and her husband Andre “Taco” Reed. Arthur also left behind six great-grandchildren, Ryan Spencer, Willy Wright, Jaquane, Chesley Dominique, Lauren Lisa Marie and Norman Spencer III; great-great-grandsons, Noah and Major Maximus Fairhurst, special mention of Carl (Sherry) Thompson, and Alvin Richard Wilson, who were like sons to Arthur. His sisters include, Emilee Troutman of Flint, MI and Sarah Faire of St. Louis, MO. Sister in-laws include, Alice Barbee of Flint, MI, Magdalene Armistead of Chicago, IL. and Savannah Johnson of Malvern, AR. Arthur served in the Army branch of the military from July 31, 1942 until he was honorably discharged on September 27, 1945. He was a veteran of World War ll, where his military occupational specialty was an automotive mechanic. He served over in Europe, England, France, Germany, and Italy. While Arthur was serving his country, his sacrifices included but were not limited to not being able to meet his only child until she was three years old. Arthur’s thirty one year career at General Motors Corporation, Chevrolet Metal Fabricating started in March of the year 1946. He retired on January 1, 1977. He was employed as a product handler and a member of the Flint, MI United Auto Workers Union Local chapter 659. Arthur was known to friends and family from an early age as “Jack”. He was given that fitting name by his father to avoid confusion where they had the same name within his household. It turned out to be quite fitting because Arthur was “a Jack of all trades.” He grew up to be knowledgeable about a variety of professions and wasn’t afraid to approach electrical, carpentry, mechanical, plumbing, a talent from another era. Arthur enjoyed gardening and landscaping in his free time. He planted flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees. His lawn and home were beautifully kept and manicured. He had a pool table in his home and loved to spend time enjoying a game or two with family and friends. He was a loyal baseball fan which he was happy to discuss with other baseball enthusiasts. His favorite team was the Cleveland Indians. The family would like to express special thanks to Mercy Plus Home care Services, Heartland Hospice Care, with special thanks of Leslie Dudley, RN, Fostrian Manor, Pastor and Mrs. Reginald G. Flynn and the Foss Avenue Baptist Church Family of Flint, MI, New Christ Community Church of Saginaw, MI

Mr. Arthur Barbee, Jr.

September 15, 1918 - February 14, 2016