Elder Jimmy Keith Barber was ordained to the gospel ministry December 1968 and was faithful to his calling among the Primitive Baptists for 57 years. The following is excerpted from an autobiographical sketch written in the year 2000 and published in the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS – VOLUME II (2001).
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I was born on August 29, 1944, in Fulton, Kentucky.
During my young years, I had some thoughts about God but never anything of a serious nature. The Lord arrested me, as far as I am able to tell, in August of 1962. The Lord visited my soul during a sermon by Elder Billy Boyd while he was preaching a meeting at Sandy Branch Church. When I joined, my parents also presented themselves for membership at Sandy Branch. We were baptized together by Elder E. D. McCutcheon in September.
Though I thought the Lord called me to preach, I wondered how it could be since I was such a wicked sinner. I concluded that I would not tell anyone about this and maybe it would go away. In 1965, the church clerk asked me one night after the worship services if I believed the Lord had called me to preach. I wanted to deny it, but I had to admit that I thought He had called me. Then Brother Brundrige asked me if I would make an effort to stand before the congregation if they set a time for me to do so. Again I was troubled and considered saying that I would not do so, but I had to say that I would try. Sandy Branch Church then appointed that I preach on each Saturday night before the second Sunday of each month, beginning in the month of October. Since I did not own a Bible for such an occasion, I purchased my first Bible at this time.
I preached at various churches, as well as, my regular appointment at Sandy Branch for about three years. During this time two churches asked me to be their pastor and they would call for my ordination. However, I could not accept them because I believed the Lord was calling me to pastor Little Hope Primitive Baptist Church at Faulkner, Mississippi. Then Little Hope asked me to be their pastor and called for my ordination on December 1, 1968.
I pastored Little Hope for about 2 years. During the last months at Little Hope, I jointly pastored New Salem Church in Walnut, Mississippi. For some time I traveled somewhat preaching in many states. I have preached the gospel in at least twenty states, assisted in the reorganization of Ole Enon Church in Middleton, Tennessee, and was a member at Ozias Church in McDonough, Georgia for a while before moving to Memphis, Tennessee to pastor Frayser Church. After five years, believing my work finished at Frayser, I joined Grace Chapel until I knew where the Lord would have me to labor. I stayed at Grace Chapel for about fifteen years and co-pastored for about ten years with Elder Zack Guess.
In February 1993, Mossy Grove Church called me to pastor them and I moved from Memphis in August of that year. In February 1998, I resigned Mossy Grove and after much prayer and meditation, began meeting in the YWCA in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It appeared that the Lord was in the work and we constituted into Covenant Church on March 27, 1999, with seven members.
I have a blessed companion in my wife, Jill. We are graciously blessed of the Lord with six children: Heather, Matthew, Hannah, Reneé, Samuel and Daniel. In 1995, the Lord took Samuel from us at the age of 3 1/2 weeks.
– BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS – VOLUME II
Primitive Baptist Heritage Corporation, (2001)
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Official Obituary published by Schubert Funeral Home, Wartburg, TN
Jimmy Barber
August 29, 1944 — December 9, 2025
Harriman
Elder Jimmy Keith Barber, age 81, of Harriman, TN, passed away on December 9th, 2025. He was an attentive Pastor to multiple congregations throughout the years, avid scholar of the Bible and Theology, and published author. He retired from Whirlpool Corporation in 2017 and was a beloved coworker and friend to many there. It was a common sight to see him outside of his home in Mossy Grove wearing overalls, cutting firewood, and chewing on a toothpick. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Barber, his mother, Lurlene Barber and his son, Samuel Keith Barber.
He is survived by his brother, Harry Barber; his children Heather Petersen (Gregg), Matthew Barber (Meagan), Raven Cawthon, Renee Barber, and Daniel Barber; his grandchildren, Copelin Petersen, Annelise Petersen, Shane Barber, Claire Barber, Erik Barber, and Syler Otis.
https://www.schubertfuneralhome.com/obituaries/jimmy-barber