Julia Barkley

NEW ALBANY – Julia Olenna Parks Barkley, 86, died Thursday, April 29, 2021. Mrs. Barkley was born August 15, 1934, on the seventh wedding anniversary of her parents and on this day was wed to James (Jimmy) Boswell Barkley in 1955. She graduated from New Albany High School in 1952, attended the University of Mississippi, Belhaven College and graduated in 1956 from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS with a Major in Education and a Minor in Music.
Mrs. Barkley was an active member of First United Methodist Church, having served on the Administrative Board, and was a long-time member of the Chancel Choir. She began playing the piano for Sunday School at age 9, and at age 11, she began playing the pipe organ for church. First United Methodist Church was blessed that she used her gift of music in that place throughout her life. She served as organist, pianist, and choir director of the Adult, Youth and Children’s Choirs. She also taught piano lessons to many in the New Albany community.
Mrs. Barkley and her husband established Barkley Travel Service Inc. in 1981 providing opportunities to share their love of travel with hundreds of people every year. Her husband, Jimmy Barkley, preceded her in death on November 10, 2002.
Survivors include her three daughters, Lynn Barkley McAlilly and husband Bill of Nashville, TN and New Albany, MS, Donna Barkley Roberts and husband Scott of Starkville, MS, and Camille Barkley of New Albany, MS; her four grandchildren, Chris McAlilly and wife Millie of Oxford, MS, Laura McAlilly Paulk and husband Nate of Nashville, TN, Emily Roberts Beaty and husband Cameron of Dallas, TX, and Kelly Roberts Fenwick and husband Chap of Hazelhurst, MS; her eight great-grandchildren, Thomas, Micah and Bolen McAlilly, Iris and Mac Paulk, Wells Beaty, and Jack and Claire Fenwick; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Erin Parks; her brothers, Joe Parks Jr., Tommy Parks, and an infant brother, James Ford Parks; and her mother and father-in-law, Claude and Sallie Barkley, of Cotton Plant.
Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm in Wesley Hall at First United Methodist Church of New Albany followed by A Service of Death and Resurrection in the sanctuary at 3:00 pm. Burial will follow at Glenfield Cemetery. Officiating the service will be Rev. Dr. Chris McAlilly, Rev. Cameron Beaty, and Rev. Dr. Tim Prather. United Funeral Service of New Albany is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 156, New Albany, MS 38652 and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
The family requests that masks be worn during visitation and at the service and encourages social distancing while in the building.
Online condolences can be made at www.unitedfuneralservice.com