Rev. Robert J. Barber, Jr. passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at his home in the loving company of his wife and two daughters. He was born December 21, 1927, in Reidsville, NC, a son of Robert and Maggie Barber. He completed studies at the Bible Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and began his ministry in Everman, Texas. He later founded Worth Baptist Church in Fort Worth, where he served until the death of his father, Dr. R. J. Barber, in 1961. He returned to Danville to take his father’s pastorate at the Baptist Tabernacle, and under his leadership the church experienced tremendous growth. Due to health issues, Bro. Bob resigned from full-time ministry at the Tabernacle in 1986. He later pastored Spring Garden Community Church and Shiloh Baptist Church in Milton, North Carolina.
Throughout the years, Rev. Barber continued a daily broadcast known as Tabernacle Time, began by his father in 1932. By his appearance, demeanor, and voice, Rev. Barber was quickly identified wherever he went within the radius of Tabernacle Time. His voice invariably brought a smile, a handshake, or some encounter with a stranger. Tabernacle Time remains the longest running daily religious radio broadcast in the world. In 2011, Rev. Barber was honored with a Virginia Joint House resolution acknowledging his 50 years of broadcasting. Tabernacle Time has touched, reached, and blessed untold multitudes for Christ throughout its 86 years on the air.
Bro. Bob comes from a family of outstanding preachers and personalities. With a sharp mind and amazing preaching skills, he enjoyed a long, effective, fruitful, widespread ministry. He was a powerful preacher, a man with a mission, a message, and a ministry. He knew the valleys of life as well as the mountain-top experiences.
Things were not always serious when Bro. Bob was present. He was a man full of fun, with a quick wit, a master storyteller and an ability to make others comfortable in stressful situations. He enjoyed following current events, watching a good baseball game, fishing, and quiet moments at the beach.
Bro. Bob was preceded in death by his son, Robert J. Barber, III [Bobby], his daughter, Jan Barber Farro, sisters, Mamie Gregory and Edna Billington, and brother, Otis Barber.
Rev. Barber is survived by Justine, his beloved wife of 73 years; daughters Sharon Korolija (Milorad) of Charlottesville, VA, and Susie Williams (Kivett) of Charlotte, NC; daughter-in-law Vicki Barber of Raleigh, NC.; four brothers, Raymond Barber, Howard Barber, Bill Barber, and Doug Barber; one sister, Virginia Mae Arrant; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He and his family have been blessed with support and care of many close friends, especially Harry Hogan. The family is forever grateful for all of the compassion and love.
His voice and message will ring out through the Danville community for years to come.
The funeral will be held at The Tabernacle on Wednesday, February 14th, at 2:00 PM followed by a private burial at Highland Burial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service at The Tabernacle from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to the Danville Lifesaving Crew.

** From The Danville Register & Bee February 12 2018