Ina Louise Barr

(May 17, 1927 – September 15, 2023)

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Billy M. King – Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins for Ina Louise Barr. Born two years before the start of the Great Depression, Mrs. Barr passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023, at the age of ninety-six.

Brother Hal Hood of the First Baptist Church of Collins will officiate the services with additional comments from Mr. Slater Barr. Interment to follow in the Collins City Cemetery. Music will be provided by Dr. Madelyn Roberson and Mr. Gary Bass. Billy M. King – Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Billy M. King – Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 3202 Hwy 49, Collins, Mississippi. All who knew Mrs. Ina Louise Barr are invited to join the family in celebrating her life and saying farewell to a lovely lady.

Honorary Pallbearers are her grandsons, staff of Alden Pointe, and Dr. Billy Mack Pickering.

She grew up in Silver Creek Mississippi with three brothers: Gerald, Glyn and Edwin. In 1945, at the age of 18, she married Roland Barr, also of Silver Creek, who had recently returned from fighting in WWII.

Choosing to be known as Louise, she followed Roland to Starkville, where he graduated from Mississippi State. The couple spent a few years in Magee before settling in Collins Mississippi where they raised their four children. They worshiped at Collins Baptist Church where Louise played the piano for services and worked as the church secretary in her younger years.

She was a good Christian lady, creative, and loved beautiful things. An accomplished seamstress, she designed and constructed clothing for her family and decorations for her home. She and Roland never shied away from home improvement projects; papering walls, refinishing furniture, laying brick flooring, and more. If someone else could do it, so could they.

Her most important job, however, was caring for her family.  She taught her children right from wrong, both by example and instruction. In her words, "I loved being a wife and mother, and I took my job seriously."

Louise, or Ina, as she was known in her last years, was dignified, poised, beautiful, even at the age of ninety-six. Always perfectly dressed and accessorized, she was a lady. Growing old is tough and Ina Louise did it with grace.

For the last twelve years of her life, she thought of Hattiesburg's Alden Pointe Assisted Living facility as home and cared deeply for both staff and residents. Her family will forever be grateful to the caregivers for their attentiveness, to Gentiva Hospice for facilitating her peaceful passing, and to Dr. Billy Mack Pickering for the care he has provided through the years.

Ina Louise was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roland Barr; her parents, Buford and Ina Bell Langston; brothers, Gerald Langston, Edwin Langston; sisters-in law, Lyda (widow of Gerald), Shirley (wife of Glen); and in-laws, Ira and Viola Barr

She is survived by her children, Anita Blount (Buff), Jim Barr, Slater Barr (Kimi), Brad Barr (Melinda); grandchildren, Wendy Blount, Megan Shafer (Chris), Ethan Barr, Madelyn Roberson (Hayden), Chase Barr (Devon), Ridge Barr, Tess Barr, Chloe Barr, Abby Barr; great-grandchildren, David Shafer, Brooke Shafer; brother, Glen Langston; sister-in-law, Bobbie Faye Langston (widow of Edwin), sister-in law Irene May (Wayne) as well as nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com.