Barbara Gene Reach

Barbara Gene Reach, age 79, of Woolmarket, Mississippi, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Born to James and Margaret Rushton in Laurens, South Carolina on January 23, 1946, Barbara lived in both South Carolina and Kentucky, where she raised four of her five children, before moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the 70’s where she had her fifth and final child.

Ms. Barbara, as she was affectionately known, was a long-term resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and widely known in Gulfport having served the community and Walmart for 26 years before retiring. She was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church in Gulfport; a victorious survivor of cancer three times; humble recipient of Mother of the Year for more than fifty consecutive years; Mawmaw of the Year, and treasured encourager to all before she decided it was time to give someone else a chance, and chose to be with her savior, Jesus Christ, instead. She enjoyed traveling, reading, working in her yard, and hollering at anyone who left the back door open too long “lettin’ all the cool air out”.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a beloved son, John D. Lyons, as well as her three sisters: Doris Bangs, Brenda Autry, and Betty Knizner, and brother, Eddie Rushton; however, she will be remembered and honored by her four remaining children: Debra (Tony) Allgood, Buddy (Pam) Lyons, Tammy White, and Michael (Cassi) Reach, daughter-in-love, Lorene Lyons, her 18 spoiled grandchildren, and 14 extra-spoiled great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at New Hope Baptist Church in Gulfport on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 5pm and will conclude at 6pm. Ms. Barbara’s wishes were to be cremated and the family humbly requests that in lieu of gifts or flowers, friends would instead consider donations to Feed My Sheep, St. Jude, and to spend much, much longer than 79 years in heaven alongside her.

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Barbara Reach.