Mrs. Earlene Barbee

BARBEE, Mrs. Earlene - age 93, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2013 at her residence. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Foss Avenue Baptist Church, 1159 E. Foss Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Bishop J.Y. Tyrce, officiating, Pastor Reginald Flynn, Host Pastor. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Mrs. Barbee will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2-8 p.m Friday with family present from 4-6 p.m. In loving memory of Mrs. Lawrence “Earlene” Barbee who was born in Ulm, Arkansas on January 30th in the year 1920. Her mother was Lawrence L. Tardy and her father was Luther J. Tardy.as well of Ulm, Arkansas. Earlene married Mr. Arthur Barbee Jr.of Chickasaw 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. Earlene leaves to cherish her memory: a loving husband, Mr. Arthur Barbee Jr.; devoted daughter, Norma Fairhurst; four grandchildren, The eldest grandchild, Jacqueline Earlene, her grandson’s Donald, Norman Jr., and Lisa Barbee Reed, nee Fairhurst, and her husband Andre “Taco” Reed. Earlene also left behind six great grandchildren, Ryan Spencer, Willy Wright, Jaquane, Chesley Dominique, Lauren Lisa Marie, Norman Spencer III, and a great, great grandson Noah Fairhurst, her GOD daughters, Tamika and Jill, and special mention of Carl Thompson, who was like a son to Earlene. Her living siblings include Savannah Johnson of Malvern, AR, and Teressa Delph of Jackson, MI, Magdalene Armistead of Chicago, IL. Her in-laws include, Emilee Troutman, Sarah Faire, Rome Barbee Alice Barbee, and Imogene Barbee. Earlene spent many years active in the St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Flint, MI. She touched many lives through her caring, loving ways. She enjoyed many years participating in fellowship and was the first Missionary President for the mid Michigan district and served for twenty years. She also served on the board of trustees, and the stewardess board and class leader Earlene developed many programs that still exist and was a great organizer and fund raiser for various events and causes. Earlene was an inspiration to many and had many longtime friends. Earlene’s thirty year career at the Hurley Medical Center she started in August of the year 1950 as a housemaid. She was then promoted to a supervisory position within that department. Even as a supervisor in charge of her department, Earlene always kept her maternal affect. Her employees spoke well of her and said she was always approachable and kept a humble attitude toward others. In her spare time, she spent many hours gardening, and playing bridge. She enjoyed cooking for and spending time with her loving family. The family would like to express special thanks to Mercy Plus Homecare Services, Heartland Hospice Care, Saint James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Pastor and Mrs. Reginald G. Flynn and Foss Avenue Baptist Church Family both of Flint, MI, New Christ Community Church of Saginaw, MI.

Mrs. Earlene Barbee

January 30, 1920 - August 24, 2013