Barbara Beatty

Barbara June Beatty

Barbara June Duncan Beatty, 78, of Columbus, MS passed away Sunday, April 11, 2021 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held Friday April 16, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the 716 2 nd Ave N Chapel of Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Louman officiating; burial will follow at Rowan Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 12:30 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Mrs. Beatty was born September 19, 1942, in Caledonia, MS to the late Andy Kirksey Duncan and Narvah Linn Partain Duncan.  She graduated from Caledonia High School Class of 1961 where she served as a cheerleader and was elected Homecoming Queen.  She was a member of the Caledonia Alumnae Association and a member of the Southern Cruisers Car Club.  She was a life-long member of Border Springs Baptist Church where she attended the Frances Smith-Joy Sunday School Class and was a member of the Church Choir and served on various other committees.

Mrs. Beatty was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother.  Barbara June had a servant’s heart and was a precious treasure to her family, neighbors, friends and church family.  She found her greatest joy in helping and doing for others.  Barbara June was a faithful caregiver to hurt, sick or aging family members and never tired of helping when needed.  She was exceptionally outgoing and friendly, and her vibrant conversation and company will be greatly missed.  She was an expert seamstress and shared her talents with all those around her.  In addition to sewing, Barbara loved birds, flowers and gardening.

Mrs. Beatty is survived by her husband of sixty years, Wilburn C. Beatty of Columbus, MS; daughters, Marissa (Retired General Patrick X.) Mordente of McKinney, TX, Michele (Vance) Tucker of West Point, MS; grandchildren, P. Cauthen (Evelyn) Mordente of St. Louis, MO, Catherine Mordente of McKinney, TX and Linnsey Tucker of West Point, MS; sister, Emma Jane Wiggins of Caledonia, MS; brothers, Edward Jeffery (Robin) Duncan of Columbus, MS, John Harvey (Mary Nell) Partain of Caledonia, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Mitchell D. (Mickey) Wiggins.

Pallbearers will be P. Cauthen Mordente, Mitch Wiggins, Harold Partain, Tim Beatty, Mike Beatty, Joe Loncar and Philip Loncar.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Frances Smith-Joy Sunday School Class of Border Springs Baptist Church, Deacons of Border Springs Baptist Church, Early McKnight, Mark Dodson, Tony Hooper and the Staff of Baptist Hospice.

Memorials in memory of Barbara June may be made to the Border Springs Baptist Church (Building Fund or Rowan Cemetery Fund), P. O. Box 399, Caledonia, MS, 39740.