Kenneth "Ken" Barber, Sr.

Kenneth H. Barber Sr., 91, of Linden passed away on October 4, 2020 at his residence on Coon Creek.

Mr. Barber was born in Perry County, TN to Floyd & Lillian Rodgers Barber on July 9,1929.  He was married to Martha Sue (Lewis) Barber for 49 years until her death on August 10, 1997.  He managed Koppers Saw Mill in Linden for many years, but one of his biggest joys in life was being a Race Car owner. Mr. Ken was well known in his younger years for being the owner of the Linden Auto Clinic and the 77JR Racecar that was raced at Hohenwald Speedway and other speedways nearby back in the 1970’s.

After his race track years, you would find him every Sunday after church watching Nascar racing on the television.  Mr. Barber took his last breath this Sunday with the Nascar Race on the television with his daughter, Lema and his wonderful caregiver, Kendra Hensley by his side.

Mr. Barber was a member of the Chestnut Grove Church of Christ in Linden. He shared with many the importance of giving our best especially at church.  He enjoyed history and loved telling family and friends who they were related to.  He was a member of Perry County Historical Society for many years and was the Perry County Historian at one time. Other hobbies he enjoyed include coon and deer hunting with the grandchildren and being on the CB radio as “Coon Hunter”

In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by his wife, Martha Sue Lewis Barber, an infant son Kenneth Deone Barber, a daughter, Romonia Sanders, brothers; Huron Barber, Hershell Barber, Hassell Barber, and Hubert Barber, a sister Sylvia Hazel Barber Boswell and a great-grandson Mitchel W. Turner.

Survivors include a sister, Helen  Qualls of Linden, a daughter, Lema (Don) Malkowski of Clarksville TN, a son, Kenneth "Kenny" (Brenda Walker) Barber Jr. of Linden TN, son-in-law Doug Sanders of Linden, grandchildren: Scott (Leslie) Malkowski, LaDonna (Michael) Dowdy, Robert (Michelle) Malkowski, Adam Sanders, Noah Sanders, Jason Barber, Shad (Theresa) Higham, Shawn (Carla) Higham and a special grandchild Ke’Audra Majors,  8 Great-Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren and a host of other loving family members and many friends.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to his longtime caregiver, Kendra Hensley.

Memorials may be given to the Qualls Cemetery Fund, Chestnut Grove Church of Christ or the Perry County Historical Society.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Scott Malkowski, Robert Malkowski, Adam Sanders, Noah Sanders, Michael Dowdy, Jason Barber, Shad Higham and Shawn Higham.

While visiting or attending services for Mr. Kenneth Barber, Sr., please consider the following guidelines:

*Mask are optional,
* Maintain 6 feet between yourself and the next closest person;
* Refrain from hugs and handshakes;
* When you sneeze or cough, use your elbow to cover your nose and mouth;
* Wash your hands often;
* Avoid touching your face; and
* Minimize time spent in places where people gather.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and consideration.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.