Jimmy Earl “Smokey” Barefield

The staff and Parker Memorial Funeral Home prioritize the health and well-being of our associates, family and guests. We understand this is a fluid and serious situation that we are in today and that we are monitoring and evaluating developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

We and the state still believe that gathering and supporting one another at a time of loss is very important. At this time, we are asking everyone to support a limited gathering and visitation policy. This is a guideline of the CDC and the state board of health. We will be allowing small family groups and limited persons at visitation, funerals and gravesides until this crisis is over.

We do ask that those at risk or those not feeling well stay at home, but reach out to the family via the memorial webpage on www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com.  Also we are listing family addresses where you may reach out to them and send them a card or a note of encouragement in their time of loss.  Flowers and expressions of sympathy are still being accepted.

We also ask those who are attending visitation and funeral services to follow the CDC recommendations to take the usual steps to help prevent the spread of illness. Social distancing is very important in the control of the spread of this virus.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this time we are in with the (COVID-19). When this crisis is over we will resume our normal procedures and operation.

Prayers are with all of you, we trust that God will protect and strengthen us as we get through this crisis together. “Faith does not mean trusting God to stop the storm, but trusting Him to strengthen us as we walk through the storm”.

Family contact information: wife,  Nancy Bennett Barefield, 467 Highway 32 E., Bruce, MS 38915

Daughter: Joy Urritua, 121 First St., Vardaman, MS 38878

Heather Nix, 116 Byars Dr., Pittsboro, MS 38951

Son: Benny Barefield, 198 Hwy. 331, Banner, MS 38913

Jimmy Earl “Smokey” Barefield, age 80, passed this earthly life on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Calhoun County on  July 18, 1939 to the late parents of Celon Underwood Barefield and Reaber Poynor Barefield.

Smokey was a devoted employee of Pontotoc Electric Power Associating serving the association for over forty years. He was a lineman before he served as the Branch Manager for the Bruce office for a number of years. Smokey also served his country as a member of the Mississippi National Guard for over eight years and also served during the Berlin Crisis.  He was a devoted member of Lantrip Baptist Church and taught a Sunday School Class for over fifty five years. He was dedicated to his town and community serving as a member of the Bruce Lions Club and also as a board member for Calhoun Health Services (Hillcrest Hospital). Smokey was a person who enjoyed a conversation and a good laugh with his friends. He loved to watch and talk about football, The Ole Miss Rebels and his farming operation with is goat business.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Dorothy Kirkwood, and a brother, Colon Barefield.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of forty nine years, Nancy Bennett Barefield, Bruce, MS; daughters, Joy Urritua, Vardaman, MS,  Heather (Chris) Nix, Pittsboro, MS; a son, Benny (Melissa) Barefield, Bruce, MS; sister-in-law, Carolyn Barefield, Pontotoc, MS; grandchildren, Hunter (Jessica) Barefield, Abbi Gale Barefield, Bailey (Janna) Nix, Bryan Nix, Clint (Brittany) Grist and Cody (Liz) Grist and a great grandson, Jack Barefield.

Visitation will be Monday, March 23, 2020 from 5:00P.M. until 8:00P.M. A funeral honoring Smokey’s life will be Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at the Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Robert Earl Alexander and Bro. Danny Bennett will be officiating and delivering the eulogy and tribute.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Bruce, MS.  Pallbearers will be Dean Bennett, Hunter Barefield, Cody Grist,  Bailey Nix, Bryan Nix, Chris Nix and Jason Watts.  Honorary pallbearers will be employees and former employees of Pontotoc Electric Power Association.

Funeral services entrusted to Parker Memorial Funeral Homes, Inc.

Online condolence may be made at parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com.