The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

John Ray Barr

MADISON – John Ray Barr died Thursday, June 26, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully at home with his family.

John Barr was born in Vicksburg on Feb. 17, 1932, the son of Irad Joel Barr and Genevieve Schwab Barr. He was educated at St Francis Xavier and St. Aloysius schools in Vicksburg and attended Millsaps College, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. While there he enjoyed performing with the Millsaps Singers. He transferred to Ole Miss before joining the Air Force in July 1952 during the Korean War.

Shortly after finishing cadet training and receiving his pilot wings in 1953, he married Elizabeth (Betsy) Mitchell Hulen of Jackson, whom he had met while at Millsaps. They spent the next 25 years, although often apart, raising their four children while moving from Lackland AFB, Texas, to George AFB, Calif., England AFB, La., Aviano AB, Italy; Dhahran AB, Saudi Arabia; Chateauroux AB, France; Wiesbaden AB, Germany, Dobbins AFB, Ga., Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand; Beale AFB, Calif., Loring AFB, Maine, and Offutt AFB, Neb. John received a BS degree in military science from the University of Omaha in 1962.

Accumulating approximately 6,000 flight hours in various aircraft during his military career, he enjoyed extensive travel and experienced memorable adventures. One KB

In August 1973, he was assigned as commander of the 42nd Supply Squadron at Loring AFB, Maine. After promotion to colonel in 1975, he served as deputy director of supply for the Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, Neb. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 and moved his family back to Mississippi.

In 1979 John accepted a position with the State Department of Health as director of the Mississippi Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which is funded by the USDA. During his tenure he initiated a bidding procedure for baby formula that resulted in substantial savings to the program and resulted in other states adopting similar procedures. Because of his initiatives and the state’s direct distribution system, Mississippi had the lowest cost for food packages in the nation while maintaining quality. The program also was one of the top five with the lowest administrative costs. Under his direction a model program for breast-feeding was set up and adopted by USDA. He served as president of the National Association of WIC Directors and received an award from the organization for outstanding leadership. He retired from state government in 1997.

John had a beautiful voice and always enjoyed singing. He sang barbershop with the SPEBSQSA chorus and served as president of that group. He also served as president of the Military Officers’ Association of America and the Military Order of the World Wars. After retirement he and Betsy built a house on the water at Lake Caroline, where he loved to fish and “play at” golfing. He enjoyed playing bridge and e-mailing his many friends.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his only brother, Joseph Leroy Barr.

He is survived by his wife, Betsy; and children, John Lawrence Barr of Memphis, Steven Leroy Barr and wife Twila of New York, Elizabeth Watkins Barr of Madison and Robert Hulen Barr of New York; four grandchildren, Rebecca Barr Loftus and husband Christopher of Omaha, Mitchell Thomas Barr, Jason Robert Barr and Lindsey Michelle Barr, all of New York; and a great-grandchild, Aidan John Loftus of Omaha.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the chapel of Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street with burial following in Lakewood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. Monday until the service at the funeral home.

The family thanks the staff of Gilbert’s Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care, Dr. Mike Beall for his wise guidance and a special caregiver with whom John was blessed, Lashune Preyer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Chapel of the Cross, 674 Mannsdale Road, Madison, MS 39110.

Larry L. Haney

Larry L. Haney died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg. He was 49.

Mr. Haney was born in Vicksburg and was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Currie III; a brother, James Haney Jr.; a sister, Willie May Haney Boyd; his maternal grandparents, Willie Richards and Mary Eliza Cannon; and his paternal grandparents, Samuel and Sedella Green Currie Jr.

He is survived by his mother, Marchella Haney of Vicksburg; a son, Larry Davon Hamlin of Vicksburg; four sisters, Mary Louise Reese and Inisha L. Ann Haney, both of Milwaukee, Wis., Mattye Lee Watson of Jackson and Beatrice Haney of Vicksburg; a brother, Willie Richardson of Jackson; two grandchildren and nieces, nephews, cousins and others.

Robbins Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Denise Jackson

Denise Jackson died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at her home. She was 25.

Ms. Jackson was an assistant manager at a Kangaroo convenience store.

Survivors include her son, Jamari Anderson of Vicksburg; two daughters, Toni Jackson and Ashley Anderson, both of Vicksburg; a brother, Michael J. Jackson; her grandfathers, Lucius Jackson of Vicksburg and Leon Cosey of Las Vegas; and aunts, uncles, cousins and others, including Marquis “Shawn” Bland of Vicksburg.

Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Preston Ladell Qualls

Preston Ladell Qualls died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at his home in Vicksburg. He was 25.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Sylvester Rockhill and Lucille Champion Rockhill.

He is survived by a son, Preston Ladell Qualls Jr. of Vicksburg; two daughters, Kimbrial Amari Prestasia Qualls and Kendall Nicole Phillips, both of Vicksburg; his parents, Sylvester Rockhill I of Pontiac, Mich., and Roedorthy Qualls of Vicksburg; three brothers, Sylvester Rockhill II, Alvin Rockhill and Calvin Rockhill, all of Pontiac; five sisters, Demetris Qualls and Lakisha Qualls, both of Vicksburg, and Celestine Rockhill, Debra Brinson and Carolyn Singleton, all of Pontiac; his maternal grandparents, Lena Moe Qualls and Roedorthy Epps, both of Vicksburg; and uncles, aunts and others, including the Johnson, Sarey, Rockhill, Brown and Ross families of Vicksburg.

W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.