He was born to the late George and Genia Barkley on December 28, 1926 in Tippah County, Mississippi. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Nellie Barkley; and his second wife, Sylvia Barkley. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Ripley, Mississippi. He served in the United States Army in WWII and retired from Memphis Transit Authority after 35 years. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason of the Berclair Lodge.
Robert is survived by his children, James Barkley (Pamela), Laura Love (Bobby), Rita Robinson (Donald); grandchildren, Julie Loflin (Patrick), Meri Beth Rein (Buddy), Jamie Wilson (John), Jodi Curtis (Mark), Robyn Clay (Chad), Betsy Orcholski; 16 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the Mississippi Veterans Home 120 Veterans Drive, Oxford, MS 38655 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Robert’s honor.
Family will receive friends from 9:00am to 10:00am on Wednesday, June 5 at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Rd, Bartlett, TN. Services will follow at 10:00am.
The family of Mr. Barkley would like to personally thank all of the workers at the Mississippi Veterans Home who took excellent care of him and appreciate everything they did for him and their family.