Robert Preston Barham Celebrate Robert Preston Barham's sixty-five years of life with his family and friends in a service of storytelling, song and resurrection on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 3:00 p.m .at Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church, followed by a committal service at Memorial Park Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.. Visitation will be that day in the church parlor from 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Robert was born April 24, 1944 in Florence, Ala. but soon moved to Meridian, Miss., which became his home. He was the youngest son of Herman "Shorty" and Bertha Barham, who are greeting him in heaven. He recently retired from the Miss. Division of Medicaid and looked forward to spending his remaining years with Janet, his wife of forty-one years whom he truly loved and of whom he was always proud. They've known each other since Methodist Youth Fellowship days but began dating when they went to see The Broom and the Groom in the 10th grade, and continued off and on while Robert was at USM and Janet was at Millsaps College. Robert was enthusiastic about spending time with his new grandson, Sawyer Preston Barham. He was always happy to hop in the car and go on a road trip, whether to enjoy a dinner out with Janet or to trek off across the country to visit his family. He leaves behind his two loving sons Rob (Whittier, N.C.) and Michael (Honolulu, Hawai`i). He was pleased that his sons' lives took them to beautiful places so he could load up the car or get on a plane off on some adventure. He taught them to explore the world, and for that they are eternally grateful. Robert had a beautiful tenor voice, which he tithed to his wonderful church family at Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church. There he loved both learning new songs with the praise team and teaching the good old hymns to the younger generations. He shared music with others through the Meridian Symphony Chorus and a local barbershop choir. He enjoyed Wildcat and Golden Eagle football games and marching bands as much as musicals at Meridian Little Theatre. A bassoonist in the first Meridian Symphony Orchestra, he taught his sons to share his love of music, preceding them in the MHS marching band and forcing them to sit through seemingly endless Symphony concerts (which they did eventually come to appreciate). Robert enjoyed reminiscing about working at New York's 1964 World's Fair. He had endless stories to tell from his years serving his country as an officer in the United States Navy, gaining a love and respect from buddies that continues today. He will be remembered for his quiet and unassuming wit, his appreciation for good stories (a good thing since he had a talking family!), homemade greeting cards, kind expressions of a tender heart, his subtle laugh & listening ear, and his tender affections toward those he loved. He will also be remembered for his openness to others and his accepting heart that understood strangers and outcasts. He will miss sharing an oyster po-boy, a beignet, or a cup of coffee with any one of his many family members and friends. He delighted in the vivacious energy of his daughter (in-law) Joanne, who can handle both Rob and Sawyer. You can hear some great stories about Robert from his brother Otha Barham (Meridian, MS), and his sister Marge Sims (Annandale, VA). His in-laws, Lurey Barham, Tom Sims, and Carrol Barham (Collinsville, MS) were just as much kinfolk, and they earned it putting up with those Barhams! He loved his nieces and nephews: John Barham (Florence, MS), Kathleen Sims (Albany, NY), Winston Barham (Charlottesville, VA), and Rachel Barham (Washington, DC). He delighted in each of them, too, and the partners and children they bring to his extended family. His brother, the Rev. Ron Barham (Collins, MS) preceded him in death last year. Robert, who was so very proud of Ron for being an organ donor, would be pleased to know that he continues that ministry of helping others live by donating his organs. He would be humbled but pleased to know how many people he touched in his life and after his death, and who loved him in return. He is at peace in the loving presence of our Creator, where he is reunited with friends and family and countless saints who have gone before. More importantly, we trust that he is embraced in the arms of the Savior, Jesus Christ, where the truest love, peace and joy is unending, and where we hope to join him one day. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a gift in memory of Robert are encouraged to consider Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church, South Harbor Shelter (both of Meridian, MS), or the Rathbun Wellness Center (Asheville, NC), a nonprofit organization that provided hospitality to Robert's family and many other families who travel from out of town to be with loved ones who are patients at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in Peace. Memorials may be sent to: Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church, 3937 Poplar Springs Drive, Meridian, MS 39305; and South Harbor Mission, 2900 St. Paul Street, Meridian, MS 39301; and The Lewis Rathbun Wellness Center, 121 Sherwood Rd Asheville, NC 28803-2426.
