Ronald Edward Barber, Sr.

COLUMBIA, SC - Ronald Edward Barber, Sr. was born October 25, 1933, and died January 16, 2018 at the age of 84. He was the son of the late Hilda Bass Barber and Edward Barber.  Mr.Barber grew up in the home of his maternal grandmother, Momma Bass in Clinton, NC where he was active in scouting and rose to the rank of Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm. He graduated in 1955 from the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy and began his first job as a pharmacist in North Carolina.

In 1957, he was commissioned as 2nd Lt. in the US Army and received officer’s training at Fort Sam Houston. He was transferred to Wurzburg, Germany to 10th Field Hospital where he was promoted to 1st Lt. and assigned as commanding officer of the 549th  MED. CO. (AMB.)(SEP.). Back in the states, he was promoted to Captain and Honorably Discharged in 1965.

On August 3, 1956, Mr. Barber married his sweetheart, Sandra Jean Peterson, of Clinton, NC whom he had been friends with since 2nd grade. He carried her senior high school picture in his wallet until his death.  They had three children, Ron Barber Jr. (Amy McQuilkin Barber), Cameron Jones (Steven Jones) and Alison Gratton (George Gratton); nine grandchildren, Natasha Broucek (DJ), Stephanie Barber, Justin Barber (Nidhi), David Jones (Claire), Joseph Jones (Jennifer), Daniel Jones, Christiana Jones, Mary Grace Jones, Jesse Jones; and seven great-grandchildren.

In May 1964, he acquired Liggett Rexall Drug in Columbia, SC which he then expanded into various business ventures, including being a managing partner of a 400-bed nursing home. He had resolved early in his career to be a good steward with what the Lord had entrusted to him and shared this vision with a small group of Christian businessmen who also wanted to honor the Lord in business.

His support of foreign missions was demonstrated through hospitality and generosity. He also enjoyed serving on the advisory board of Columbia International University under President Robertson McQuilkin.  He was an active and well-loved member of St. Andrews Evangelical Church.

He greatly enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and invested in them in many ways which included time spent and wisdom shared.

The service for Mr. Barber will be held 11 o’clock, Saturday, January 20th at St. Andrew’s Evangelical Church with the Rev. Donald L. Burnett, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5 until 7 o’clock at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia.  A graveside service will be held 2 o’clock, Sunday, January 21st at Clinton Cemetery in Clinton, NC.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to St. Andrews Evangelical Church, Building Fund, 2609 Seminole Road, Columbia, SC 29210 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Memories and condolences may be also be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com