Earlie D. Barber

EARLIE D. BARBER

Master Builder + Entrepreneur

Member of the Legendary “Ten Tall Men”

Mr. Earlie D. Barber, 85, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on April 10, 2026. Born on December 12, 1940, in Dothan, Alabama, he was a 1960 graduate of Carver High School, where he was a member of the legendary 1957–1958 basketball team known as the Ten Tall Men, one of the most formidable teams in the nation.  He and his fellow teammates won the 2A AIA State Championship and finished second in what was then called the Negro High School National Basketball Championship. 

A master carpenter and builder by trade, Mr. Barber was known for his craftsmanship, work ethic, and commitment to community. He also operated Barber’s Grocery, a family business he inherited that faithfully served Dothan’s Lakeview Community for many years, becoming a familiar and welcoming presence to generations of customers.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Mary Lois Potter Barber; by his parents, Mrs. Ellen Walker Arnette and Mr. Oscar George “OG” Barber; by his sister, Mrs. Marie Barber Davis; by his son, Mr. Kenneth Barber, and by his granddaughter, A’Kera Scott.

He is survived by his children, Jennifer LaSha Barber and Earlie Deacon Barber; his siblings, Barbara Ann Boatwright, Cora (Donnell) Eatmon, Gwendolyn Baker, and Rev. William Lynn (Elder Mary) Arnette; his uncle, Robert (Ruby) Barber; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jamekia Chambers, Hannah Barber, Karon McClendon, Jabre Barber, Da’Yonna Barber, Barry Dominic Jr., Connor Davis, and Cairo Davis; and their mothers, Dawanna Chambers, Kimberly Jones, Natasha Rodgers, Shankell Kinsey, Candice Taylor Stuckey, and Alexis Scott. 

He is also survived by a host of extended family, including Doris Potter Hickman, Yvonne Potter Lee, Nettie Potter (“Bo Dilly”) Scott, Vanessa Potter (Darryl) Wynne, Linda Walker, Brenda F. Walker, Sharon Walker, Darion Walker; a special cousin, Jackie Barber; his best friend and business partner, Don Harris; his Goddaughter, Janice Brown; and his sister-in-law, Janice Potter Burks, who served as his caregiver. Special thanks to Barbara B. Stowers, Barbara M. Kirkland, and the teams at CenterWell Home Health and Cornerstone Caregiving for their dedicated support.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Earlie D. Barber, please visit our floral store.