Ronnie Barber

Thursday, February 27, 2020
Ronnie Barber

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Ronnie Barber, 55, died Feb. 26, 2020, at his home.

Born Aug. 21, 1964, in Charleston, son of James Barber Sr. of Fork, S.C., and Dorothy Jones Wilson, who preceded him in death on Dec. 3, 2007, he was employed as a river boat captain for Marquette Transportation in Paducah, Ky. He was a graduate of Charleston High School and later served in the U.S. Army National Guard. He lived in Paris, Tenn., for 21 years and held a master towing license with the United States Coast Guard. He also completed an associate’s degree in biblical studies and was a member of McKenzie Church of God in McKenzie, Tenn.

On Oct. 1, 1999, in Jackson, Tenn., he married Tammy Staggs, who survives of the home.

In addition to his wife and father, survivors include: his stepdad, Geary Wilson of East Prairie; two sons, Nickolas Barber of Jonesboro, Ark., and James “Jamie” Barber of Sikeston; one daughter, Ashley Renee Barber Kirby of East Prairie; one stepson, Michael Mathis of Bolivar, Tenn.; and three brothers, Shawn Wilson of Matthews, Ricky Barber of North Carolina and Scotty Barber of Lebanon, Tenn.; and six grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time at 1 p.m. Saturday at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie. George White will officiate.

Burial will follow in IOOF Cemetery near Charleston.

Pallbearers will be: Shawn Wilson, David Wilson, Michael Mathis, Nick Barber, Jamie Barber and Johnathan Kirby.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Geary Wilson, Terry Milam and Frank Powell.

Online condolences may be shared at www.ponderfuneralhome.com.