Ardis Jerome “JB” Barrett

JEROME - The MAN The Myth The LEGEND - BARRETT

1972-2019

Ardis Jerome Barrett was born August 14, 1972 in Camden, Arkansas to Lee Ardis Barrett and Barbara Ann Stevens Barrett.

Many were drawn to him because of his friendly and down-to-earth personality. “JB” as he was called by his friends and family was always cool, calm and collected. 

JB was as 1990 graduate of Bearden High School. He was a brazen athlete who made his mark on the football field and in track. Shortly after high school he joined the National Guard. It was there that he learned discipline and brotherhood. To be a plus-sized man he was always stylish and clean from head to toe. You never caught him without a pair of Air Force Ones and a matching cap. His haircut was always on point, even as much in the hospital he had to have his haircut together. 

Jerome met the quiet and sweet Shavonda Thrower. After playing hard to get he finally got her to marry him. They were married on October 18, 2008 and together they shared good days and bad well as, love and laughter. They were inseparable. He was no stranger to hard work and taught his children that nothing in life is free; hard work pays off. He worked for Georgia Pacific for over 20 years until his health started to decline. 

In addition to being a hard worker, JB was a family man. He enjoyed the simple pleasures that life offered. He enjoyed sports and was a die-hard Patriots fan. He loved playing dominoes “thumping bones.” He was the master at intimidating his opponents and then erupting in joy after a winning hand. JB was a great domino player and was respected at the table.

On Monday, April 1, 2019 Jerome passed into the Lord’s embrace. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Kynan Demarr “Cowboy Barrett (February 20, 2011).

His memory will live forever in the hearts of his wife, Shavonda Thrower Barrett; nine children, Cashala Rabion of Memphis, TN, Shaniqua Lambert of Arkadelphia, AR, Ariston Barrett of Fordyce, AR, Jalen Barrett of Arkadelphia, AR, Jabria Barrett of Gurdon, AR, Jerbraylen Barrett of Arkadelphia, AR, Adrian Barrett of Arkadelphia and Taurean Gulley of Gurdon, AR; a special niece, Shantaria Barrett; his grandmother, Emma Jean Calahan of Fordyce, AR; his mother-in-law, Patricia Thrower-Walker of Arkadelphia, AR and ten grandchildren. He also leaves two sisters, Cassandra Levingston (Charles) and LaToya Barrett; one brother, Cedric Berlin (Tara) all of Bernice, LA; an uncle raised with JB as a brother, DeWayne Stevens of Little Rock; two brothers-in-law, Ken Thrower of Houston, TX and Shelley (Cassandra) Thrower of Decatur, AL; special friends, Terry Gulley, Rico Cone, Raymond Welch, Sam Horton Rodney Gentry and Cullen Ray Gulley, as well as, other relatives and numerous friends. 

Public visitation will be from 1:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A celebration of his life will be shared at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the Cabe Auditorium-Gurdon High School with Rev. Arlen K. Parham, eulogist. Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia. Family and friends are asked to wear purple and black to the service.

Pallbearers will be Bobby Purifoy, Demond Beasley, Taquan Ivory, Randy Bell, Rufus Hatley, Jr., Laron Laster, Kentrell Green, and Terry Cornish. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Gulley, Sam Horton, Rodney Gentry, Rico Cone, Cullen Ray Gulley and Donald Beasley.