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2018 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 432
Celebrating the life of the Reverend Robert J. Barber, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 7, 2018
Agreed to by the Senate, March 9, 2018

 

WHEREAS, the Reverend Robert J. Barber, Jr., a beloved husband and father who provided spiritual guidance to countless people as a church pastor and host of the long-running religious broadcast Tabernacle Time, died on February 10, 2018; and

WHEREAS, born in Reidsville, North Carolina, Reverend Barber was the son of the Reverend Robert J. Barber, Sr., a Baptist preacher who started the Tabernacle Time radio broadcast in 1932; and

WHEREAS, after completing his studies at Bible Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth Texas, Reverend Barber began his ministry in Everman, Texas, before founding Worth Baptist Church in 1954 in Fort Worth; and

WHEREAS, in 1961, Reverend Barber moved to Danville and assumed the pastorate of Baptist Tabernacle, his late father’s church; under his leadership, the church experienced dramatic growth and moved into a new building; and

WHEREAS, along with ministering to numerous Danville residents, Reverend Barber followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming the host of Tabernacle Time, the nation’s longest running daily religious radio broadcast; and

WHEREAS, known as “Brother Bob” to the members of his church congregations and legions of radio listeners, Reverend Barber hosted Tabernacle Time for over 50 years and used the program to spread the gospel and convey a message of hope and positivity; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Barber retired from full-time duties at Baptist Tabernacle in 1986; he later served as pastor at Spring Garden Community Church and at Shiloh Baptist Church in Milton, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a powerful preacher known for his sharp wit and insightful sermons, Reverend Barber enjoyed a long and effective ministry and touched the lives of numerous people; and

WHEREAS, in his spare time, Reverend Barber enjoyed watching baseball, following current events, fishing, and spending time on the beach; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his son, Robert, and daughter, Jan, Reverend Barber will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 73 years, Justine; his daughters, Sharon and Susie, and their families; and many other family members, friends, and former congregants; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Robert J. Barber, Jr., a dedicated pastor who inspired scores of people with his sermons and radio broadcasts; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Robert J. Barber, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.