Born March 29, 1927 in Bellwood, NC, to the late John T and Margaret Alexander Barber. Moved to Shelby, NC, at a young age and playing the fiddle as a teenager where he and a friend Don Gibson, who played guitar and later became a county music star. They played at various clubs and social functions around the Shelby area. Over the years he played with Chet Atkins, "Hot Shot" Elmer Homer and Jethro Cowboy Copus, Lash LaRue, but dear to his heart were the ones he started with as a teenager, Don Gibson, Curly Howard, Bill Roberts and Milton Scartioro. During the years of touring, he and Jake Tullock, who worked with Flatt and Scruggs, and was originally from Etowah, become friends. Tullock invited Barber home to meet his family, and Barber promptly fell in love with Tullock's sister. They were married in 1954, at which time Jim decided to hang up his dream of being a country star in favor of a quiet life with his new bride. He eventually went to work at Bowater in Calhoun, but never completely set aside his music. He still loved to play for different organizations, weddings, nursing homes and anywhere he was asked to play. He was a member of North Etowah Baptist Church, where he taught a boys Sunday School class, sang in the choir and played his fiddle when asked. He was an ordained deacon. He loved God and he loved his church. He was a 50 year member of the Etowah Lodge No. 653. He served 2 years in the Korean Conflict.He was preceded in death by his first wife, Aileen Tullock Barber of Etowah; three brothers, Forest Edward Barber of NC, Charleston Irvin Barber of Etowah, Mevelin Foch Barber of SC; and two sisters, Mabel Edwards of NC and Blonn Dixon of TX. He is Survived by present wife, Gilda Armstrong Barber of Etowah; one son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Tami Barber of Saint Simons Island, GA ; one daughter, Sherry Malae of HI; one grandson, Derick Maloe of HI; three stepdaughters, Janice Barnes of MO., Patricia Tillman of Athens, TN and Sue Watson of Polk Co., three step-sons, David Armstrong of VA, Barry Armstrong of Cookeville, TN and Brian Armstrong of Georgetown, KY; 22 step-grandchildren; 18 great-step grandchildren; two, brothers-in-law, Doug and Brenda Tullock of Etowah and Rev. E.G. and Evelyn Mullinax of New Johnsonville, TN; six sisters-in-law, Louise Barber, Hudson, NC, Lillian Cunniham, Chattanooga, TN, Mary Ella Rudder of Etowah, Billie Lu and husband Kenneth King of Decatur, TN; Mildred Byrd of Maryville, TN and Gloria Mullinax of Etowah; one aunt, Geneva Barber of Cary, NC and a host of nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at McMinn Memory Gardens. No formal visitation will be held.Wayne Davis, Ruel Watson, Steve Goodner, Durant Tullock, Dean Tullock and Buddy Stillwell will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Sunday school class and long time friend and neighbor Paul Coleman. In Lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to: Embrace the Future of North Etowah Baptist Church, General Fund of NEBC, American Cancer Society, care of Faye Forgety, 120 County Road 447, Athens, TN. 37303.