Rev. Simon Barbee

BARBEE, Rev. Simon - Age 84, passed away Saturday, November 24, 2012 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 424 E. Kennelworth Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Major A. Stewart officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Rev. 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. Rev. Simon Barbee was born August 6, 1928 in Shannon, Mississippi the 13th child of Arthur and Cliffie Barbee. Rev. Barbee spent his childhood in Shannon and left in 1945 to live and work in East St. Louis, Illinois. Two years later, he moved to Flint, Michigan. Rev. Barbee served in the military and was Honorably Discharged in 1952. Rev. Barbee did not complete high school before leaving Shannon, but did receive his high school diploma from Flint Northern High School in 1973. He continued his education at Mott Community College in Auto Mechanics. Rev. Barbee was called to the ministry and attended Midwestern Bible College and Flint Bible Institute. He received his license to preach December 9, 1979 and was ordained April 8, 1985. Rev. Barbee served as Associate Minister at Canaan Baptist Church for a number of years before moving on to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church where he served as an Associate Minister until his death. Rev. Barbee was also a member of the Male Chorus, Flower Club and Chancel Choir at Mt. Olive. He also enjoyed participating in the Old Ship of Zion play. Before entering the ministry, he wrote and recorded a number of singles and albums. He also managed the Motown group “The Velvelettes” which included two of his nieces. Rev. Barbee leaves to cherish his memory: three daughters, Mary Louise, Mary Lynn and Althea Joyce Barbee; three sons, David Bruce, Simon Arthur and Jody Steven Barbee, all of Flint; his only granddaughter, Lynise Ma’re Barbee, who he loved dearly and always called “Babe”; two sisters, Amilee Troutman of Flint and Sarah Faire of Centerville, IL; two brothers, Arthur “Jack” (Earlene) Barbee and Rome (Emergine) Barbee, all of Flint; former son-in-law, Therman Lusane Jr; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and the Mt. Olive Church family. Rev. Barbee was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Cliffie Barbee; two brothers, Pinkey and Glynn Barbee; and four sisters, Dorothy Barbee, Pauline Lyons, Winifred Harvey and Cliffie Sims. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Ernesto Duterte, McLaren Critical Care Unit, McLaren Hospice, Alice J. Barbee, Gus and Dawnette Jefferson, Dr. Major A. Stewart and the Mt. Olive Church family.

Rev. Simon Barbee

August 6, 1928 - November 24, 2012