Johnny Maxine Barber

Johnny Maxine Smith Barber passed away on Wednesday October 19, 2022, at The Heritage of Clear Lake in Houston, Texas. Johnny was born on March 28, 1959 in Sulphur, Louisiana to Harvey and Nell (McClure) Smith and was raised on the Mississippi coast in Gautier, Mississippi. Nicknamed “Tiny” by sister Jimmy Lou. 

Johnny worked as a Hostess, an office receptionist and a clerk with the local power company. She spent most of her adult life as a devoted wife, mom and homemaker. She took great pride in caring for her family and her home, whether it was time in the kitchen, keeping a flower garden, or adjusting the interior decorating. 

Johnny developed a love for painting and produced many works of rural settings of fields, farmhouses and barns. She enjoyed reading, crochet and working out puzzles. She and her sister Jamey were avid bowlers and enjoyed many competitions, as well as spending several years in league bowling with her husband and friends. 

Johnny was ready for an adventure at a moment’s notice. She would magically have everything ready for the family to enjoy an outing, whether it was a road trip, a plane trip, a camping trip or a trip to the beach. She enjoyed spending time at her grandparents by the “Little River” near Jonesville, Louisiana, listening to family and friends play music, especially at Easter. She enjoyed country walks, bonfires with family and friends and fishing at the family farm in Missouri. But she especially cherished time at the Smith family property in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She loved playing cards, listening to music and telling childhood stories or, most of all, fishing for crappie at her favorite pond. 

She was one of those people whose smile didn’t shine from the curve of her mouth, but from the sparkle in her eyes. 

Johnny is survived by her husband Michael Alec Barber, daughters Trisha Lynette (Hilton) Read and Maegan Jeanell Barber. Grandchildren Jordyn Hilton and Michael & Will Read. Sisters Jimmy Lou Owen, Nina Jane & husband David Mitchell and Jamey Ruth & husband Johnny Chisholm. Nieces & Nephews Jim, Chance & Cason Owen, Haley & Zachary Mitchell, Donny & Brian (BJ) Versiga and Michelle (Versiga) Worth. 

A Funeral service for Johnny will be held at 11:00am, on Saturday, November 19 at Liberty Baptist Church, Williamstown, with a burial to follow at Liberty Cemetery.

Memorials in Johnny’s memory may be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration www.theaftd.org