John A. Barbee

WILLIAMSPORT, PA - John A. Barbee, 81, a life long resident of Williamsport, died on Sunday, July 29, 2007 at his residence. He was the loving husband of 59 years to Alice J. (Trammel) Barbee. John was born on April 04, 1926 in Drakes Branch, VA. He was the son of the late Eddie Daniel and Lusrenna (Barbee). He moved to Williamsport at the age of two. He was the nephew of the late Aunt Virginia and Uncle Charles Swope with whom he lived with. He was baptized when he was 12 years old in the Ebenezer Baptist Church by the late Reverend C. H. Woody. He had graduated from Williamsport High School and sang with the Jr. and Sr. Choir as well as the Men's Choir. John served with the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1944 to 1946. On June 16, 1948, he married his lovely wife Alice and became a loving and caring father of five wonderful children. He had retired in February 1984 from Bethlehem Steel and had worked construction and helped with the construction of the Market Street Bridge during the 1950's and also worked as a head waiter at the Women's Club. He was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church and became Chairman of the Trustee Board under the service of Reverend Burrows in 1972 and was the treasurer of the St. John's Lodge #26. He was commander in chief of Mountain Consistory #55, member of the Masonic Lodge, member of the Elks and a life time member of Post #1 Garrett Cochran American Legion. John enjoyed gardening, grilling, cooking, scrap booking and was the family photographer. He truly was a humanitarian. In addition to his wife, Alice, John is survived by one son; Alphnso L. Barbee and his wife Tanya Greathouse of Niwot, Colo., three daughters; Alicia C. Dalton of Harrisburg, Arrianna O. Tanner and her husband Russell B. Jr. of Williamsport and Latasha K. Barbee of Williamsport, nine grandchildren; Erik L. Barbee, John A. Barbee, III, Nakesha Barbee, Raneana Barbee-Schuman and her husband Andreas Schuman, Kara P. Barbee, Desmond L. Tanner, Rashanda M. Dalton, Noah C. Greathouse Barbee and Zachary K. Greathouse Barbee, two great grandchildren; Jevia S. Barbee and Jada E. Grobes, one godchild; Christopher Jenkins and his loving dog; Toby. In addition to his parents, aunt and uncle, he was preceded in death by one son; John A. Barbee Jr. The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 3, 2007 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, 527 Park Avenue, Williamsport. The Reverend Charles V. Daniels will officiate the services. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Montgomery with military honors. Public viewing will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 2, 2007 at the Allen & Redmond Funeral Home, 331 Elmira Street, Williamsport with a Masonic Service being conducted at 7:45 p.m. There will also be a public viewing at the church 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.