James Washington Barefield

James Washington “Jim” Barefield, a resident of Geneva, AL passed away on Friday, March 13, 2009 at Wiregrass Medical Center. He was 73.

Funeral services with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 1st United Methodist Church of Geneva with Revs. Charles William Kidwell, Nathan Carroll, and Charles Fail officiating. Burial will follow in the Bonifay City Cemetery with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Mr. Barefield was born on May 3, 1935 in Dale County and lived the early years of his life in Echo. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Greenland and Alaska during his tour of duty. Mr. Barefield was employed with BE & K from Birmingham as a carpenter for several years. He resided in Bonifay for 45 years prior to moving to Geneva in 2006. He is a member of the 1st United Methodist Church of Geneva and a past member of the 1st United Methodist Church of Bonifay serving on the official board.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years Margie Barefield of Geneva; daughters, Debbie Griffin and her husband Ben of Arkansas, Christi Bynum and her husband Steve of Geneva; 7 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; a brother Frank Barefield and his wife Vivian of Echo; sisters, Rachel Jenkins and her husband James of Echo, Mary Nell Grantham of Dothan; sisters-in-law, Nancy Nelson and her husband Roger of Coatsville, PA, Betty Jane Welch of Hazle Township, PA, Myrtle Jaquett of Kennett Square, PA; several nieces and nephews.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Stevie Bynum, Chris Driggers, Kurt Ellis, Chris Yarberry, Buddy Yarberry, Marty Parson, Blake Parson, and Brad Bynum. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Sasser, Frankie Lindsey, Robert Clemmons, Ken Jones, Alton Powell, and Johnny Brannon.