OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES

Dr. Marian Barr

Dr. Marian Barr departed this life on Friday, January 11, 2019, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

She was the first African American physician to establish a medical practice in West Memphis.

Dr. Barr was the Medical Director at the West Memphis Intermediary Care Facility known as the Pathfinders, Incorporated; served on the Board of Regents at Arkansas State University Mid-South, and the Board of Directors at the East Arkansas Family Health Center.

Dr. Barr received numerous honors and awards, including the New York Fife Scholar, Sigma Xi National Biologic, the National Biologic Honor Society, Who’s Who Among Students, American Universities and Colleges and the Governors Certificate of Outstanding Services to the Community. She was a member of the Arkansas Medical Society and the Crittenden County Medical Society, a Fife Member of the NAACP, a member of the Royal Grand Chapter; Order of the Eastern Star, a Chartering Member of Pi Chi Omega Chapter and Fifetime Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was the Author of the History of the Earle, Arkansas Dunbar Schools, 2013, and was a Board Member of the Earle Dunbar School Reunion Association where she coordinated the 2019 Earle Dunbar School Reunion.

At an early age, Dr. Barr was baptized to the AME Church by her father, Rev. Z. E. Barr, and was a member of the Bethel AME Church in West Memphis where she served on the Board of Trustees. She cared for her church and community.

Her memory will forever be cherished by four sisters: Zelma Barr Denton of Earle, Arkansas, Glynn Agnes Barr of West Memphis, Arkansas, Zylpha Barr Dancy (Eddie) of Los Angeles, California, and Clara Barr-Ferron of West Memphis, Arkansas; one brother, Flynn LaGuardia Barr (Verlene) of Chicago, Illinois, and a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Visitation Friday, Jan. 17, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Wolfe Brothers Funeral Home in West Memphis. Services at 15th Street Church of God in Christ Saturday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m. Burial in Earle with repast at 15th Street Church of God in Christ.