Sylvia B. Barr

ADEL, Ga. ­­-- Sylvia Bradham Barr, 73, Adel’s First Lady, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, after a valiant fight with cancer.

Mrs. Barr was born May 22, 1937, in Manning, to the late G.M. and Dolly T. Bradham and was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Bradham and Morgan Bradham.

She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Richard C. Barr, and two sons, Richard C. (Maia) Barr Jr. of Newport News, Va., and Barry A. (Julie) Barr of Valdosta, Ga.; three grandsons, Bradham Barr of Colorado Springs, Alston Barr of Valdosta and Levon Anjaparize of Newport News.

She is also survived by a sister, Doris (Mike) Epperson of Bishopville; two brothers, Carl (Becky) Bradham of Lexington, and David (Patsy) Bradham of Summerton; two sisters-in-law, Dolores (Ken) Russell of Roswell, Ga. and Geraldine Bradham of Sumter.

Mrs. Barr was a member of the First Baptist Church of Adel, where she sang in the adult choir and was a member of the Queen Esther Sunday School Class. She was a former member of the Pink Ladies Auxiliary and the Adel Garden Club. She was a member of the Pilot Club of Adel, who recently honored her by planting a tree for her in the City Park. The Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce also recently honored her by dedicating a flower garden in her name on the city square. This garden was named “Sylvia’s Garden” in recognition of all the many projects she worked on or chaired to help make Adel a more beautiful city. She, along with several members of the Pilot Club, built the City Park for all of the Adel citizens to enjoy. She was primarily responsible for having the Georgia State Legislature declare Adel “the City of Daylilies,” which led to the annual “Adelily Festival” held in downtown Adel. She planted hundreds of daylilies and encouraged others to do the same. The highlight of the 2010 Adelily Festival was when she was named 2010 Adelily Queen. She was primarily responsible for the new Christmas lights in downtown Adel and the banners for the power poles and many other projects.

The Cook County Exchange Club named her as a Golden Deeds Award recipient for her many community improvement projects. Mrs. Barr never sought the headlines, but was very content to pull the weeds, plant the flowers and seek help to do these things, whether it was for donations, supplies, or labor.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Aug. 30, 2010, at the First Baptist Church of Adel with Dr. Mike Ruffin and the Rev. Ben Smith officiating.

Burial will follow at Woodlawn City Cemetery in Adel.

Memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Adel, P.O. Box 893, Adel, Ga., 31620, or to the Georgia Sheriffs Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 100, Hahira, Ga., 31632.

 Purvis Funeral Home of Adel was in charge of the arrangements.