Sis. Mary Ethel Barber was born June 4, 1933 in Hale County, Alabama to the late Abraham and Nellie Birl, Sr. She was the fourth of eleven children.

Mary graduated from U. S. Jones High school in Demopolis, Alabama in 1951.

Mary was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church in Demopolis, Alabama. She later joined Forty-fifth Street Baptist Church and served as a member of the congregation for more than 52 years. She faithfully served as a member of the Deacons and Ministers Wives' Ministry
Mary was united in holy matrimony to Jessie L. Barber Sr, on October 13, 1951 and to their union, 7 children were born.

Mary was employed for over 30 years with Birmingham City Schools. Mary Barber was a very loving person and enjoyed her family.

Mrs. Mary Barber entered into eternal rest on May 8, 2023. She is reunited with her loved ones that preceded her in death - parents Abraham and Nellie Birl, Sr; sons: Jesse Jr., Cornelious, Juan and Leroy Barber; sister Annie Mae Braxton; brothers Abraham Jr., Nathaniel,Sr,, Eli, Heron, Jimmie Lee and Leroy Birl; and son-in-law Robert Clarke.

She leaves to cherish her memories a husband of 71 years Jessie L. Barber, Sr.; daughters - Margaret A. Clarke, Jacqueline J. Tolbert and Larena Michelle (Lamonte) Jackson; a son - Alphonso (Regina) Barber all of Birmingham, AL; daughters-in-law - Dr. Martha Barber and Nove' Barber of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren William Tolbert, Jason Tolbert, Karla Clarke, Kanisha Clarke, Dupree Sauls, Jamal Sauls, Ashley Brown, Jacqueline (Tevin) Griswold, Tara (Walter) Cunningham, Tenisha Baskerville and Felicia Parker; great-grandchildren - Kyler Jackson, Kaulin Jackson, Kaylin Jackson, Victoria Free, Hillary (Corey) Smith, Ashley Dunlap, Harmony Sauls, Cameron Sauls, Raelynn Sauls, Kaiyah Clarke, Kaydon Clarke, Tariq Griswold, Avery Cunningham and Addyson Cunningham; great-great grandchildren - Samson Parikh and Tra'vyon Lee; sisters - Dorothy Jones and Lou Ella Bingham of Norcross, GA and Christine Guice of Chicago, IL; brother - Willie Lee Birl of Chicago, IL, a special niece - Rena (Gary) Threet; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.