J. Eldridge Barefield

Mr. J. Eldridge Barefield, age 74 of Louisville passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 14, 2019, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Elamville. Rev. Mike Whitman, Wiley Smith, and Rev. Buddy Ward will officiate. Music will be provided by the family. Interment will follow in the Blue Springs Word of Truth Church (formerly River of Life) cemetery with full Masonic rites. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, December 13, 2019 at Keahey Funeral Home in Clio. Serving as pallbearers will be Kevin Gulledge, Kerwin Gulledge, Jonathan Smith, Christopher Smith, Shane Teal, Sean Teal, Don Barefield, Kenneth Barefield and, Rhett McGowin.
Barefield had been the Past Master of Blue Springs Masonic Lodge # 582; after it’s closing, the members transferred to the Claybank Lodge in Ozark # 908 where he fully belonged. 
Left to cherish his memory is Alece Hardy Barefield, his loving wife of 55 years; son, Stephen Eldridge (Sharon) Barefield of Ozark; daughters, Tavia (Kurt) Pensinger of Dothan and Tara (Chris) Sanders of Louisville; grandchildren, Dylan Wells, Staley Pensinger, Christopher (Kristie) Pensinger, Briony Barefield, Charlie Phillips; brother, Wayne (Shelia) Barefield of Columbus, GA; sisters, Faye (H.C.) Gulledge of Blue Springs, AL; Cathy (Wiley) Smith of Abbeville, AL; Winelle (Gene) Teal of Napier Field, AL; Charlene (Buddy) Ward of Blue Springs, AL; sister-in-law, Sylvia (Wilmer) Dismukes of Troy, AL; and his beloved Boston Terrier, Elle, who with the family stood by his side to the end. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie Alvin Barefield and Hilda Hagler Barefield, father-in-law and mother-in-law, James Leo Hardy and Louise Helms Hardy.
The family wants to give a special thanks to the Kindred Hospice workers, Kristen Bonner, RN; Kristy Arnold, LPN, Emily Pritchett, Social Worker; Rhonda and Pat, Bathers; Joseph Hadden, Chaplain.
A 1964 graduate of Blue Springs High School, Barefield, was employed as a mechanic and maintenance person for Van Heusen in Ozark, also becoming a skilled paint and body repairman, he later worked with Walter Hand Ford Motor Company in Ozark.  He later began to restore and modify antique vehicles for himself which led to opening Barefield Auto Center; he also opened a convenience store in Blue Springs, the “Park Mart". 
As a young man, he did a lot of painting, especially charcoals and was also an avid writer. 
Barefield had been retired only a few years from pastoring and had served at Clayton First Assembly of God Church, Louisville Assembly of God Church, and Blue Springs River of Life Church. He was a talented musician and loved to sing. Barefield, his wife, and children were all talented musicians and part of a gospel group named “The Salutations”.  
Lately, his favorite past time was sharing conversations and meals with family and friends. His final declaration to the family was to “keep smiling and stay strong!”

Lana's Flowers will be serving the Barefield family. Lana's Flowers does not charge a delivery fee to Clio. For your floral arrangements, you may contact Lana at 205 607 0005.

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