Oneda Barrier was born on Nov. 28, 1922, and passed away on Sunday, Feb. 4.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron Guy Barrier; stillborn son, Aaron Guy Barrier Jr., and son, Richard Aaron Barrier; parents, Floyd and Winnie Cherry; and brothers and sisters, Gilbert, Hershel, Dorothy, Mary, Inez and Annie Joyce.
She is survived by her daughter, Ina Faye Barrier of Savannah; and son, Jim G. (Jennifer) Barrier of Columbia, Tennessee; grandchildren, Amanda Dunlap Collins of Savannah, Todd (Jonna) Barrier, Paul (Amber) Barrier, and Leah Barrier, all of Hartselle, Alabama, Logan Barrier of Denver, Colorado, Lindsay Barrier of Nashville, Christian Hayes of Santa Monica, California; daughter-in-law, Paula Barrier of Hartselle, Alabama, eight great-grandchildren, Kenzie, Bradyn, Hannah, Ellie, Grayson, Tripp, Harrison, and Mollie Reece Barrier, all of Hartselle, Alabama; sisters, Kate Cherry White of Savannah and Margaret Cherry Davis of Lawrenceburg; brother, Bobby Joe Cherry of Savannah; sister-in-law, Wilma Barrier White of Savannah; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Oneda was born and raised in Cherry’s Chapel and spent almost all of her life in the Savannah area. She loved her church, First Baptist of Savannah, and was known as a true prayer warrior. As a member who showed up “each time the doors opened,” she was interested and involved. Her family was her pride and joy, and she was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, bestowing love and kindness to all. Some of her favorite things were clipping coupons and shopping for bargains, then sharing her buys. She loved to travel. Her two plane trips she declared to be her last. She preferred the church van. In addition to her Bible, she loved novels. One of her favorites was the “Anne of Green Gables” series. In “her day,” she also loved to play Rook, doing word searches, gardening, canning and cooking. She was known in the family for her chicken and dumplings, and at church for her cornflake chews and green beans. She loved her last car, a silver Lincoln town car that Jim gave her. She gave it up on her own when she felt it was time. She worked tirelessly as a hospital volunteer, and she and her sisters cared for their mother until her death at 101. She gave the ultimate, her kindness and love. She was our angel on earth, and now she is our angel in heaven.
Services will be held Thursday, Feb. 8, at First Baptist Church of Savannah with her grandson, Todd Barrier officiating along with special words from Eric Jones. Visitation begins at 11 a.m., with the service beginning at 1 p.m.