Helen Jean Barr

Helen Jean Barr, 93, of Kerr, Ohio took her first breath in Heaven on April 2, 2026. She was born on October 14, 1932 in Ripley, West Virginia. Jean was one of seven children born to Everett and Erma Casto Robie.

Jean attended Bidwell Schools and graduated from Bidwell-Porter High School in 1950. She loved school and excelled academically. She married her high school sweetheart, William "Bill" Barr on June 6, 1953. They were blessed to have shared 72 years of marriage together.

Jean and Bill opened Barr's Grocery in October 1955 and remained in the grocery business through 1982, serving the public for 27 years.

Jean loved her family and poured her heart into her role as a wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother "GiGi." She is survived by a daughter, Debbie (David) Beam Xenia, OH; a son, Billy (Jacki) Barr Winona Lake, IN; four granddaughters, Sarah (Travis) Kinnison Xenia, OH, Rachel (Joseph) Dean Cedarville, OH, Bethany (Ross) Hessel Indianapolis, IN, and Brittany (Jeff) Moerchen, Warsaw, IN; great grandchildren, Maisy, Eliza, Laney, and Norah Kinnison, Abram, Avalynn, Canaan, and Calvary Dean, Sadie, Ainsley, and Levi Hessel, and Coy, Wynn, and Mills Moerchen.

Additional survivors include brothers, Carroll, Keith (Cheryl), and John (Toni) Robie; sister, Betty Robie Briggs; sister-in-law, Marguerite Robie; and brother-in-law, Ronald Allison. Jean was also blessed to have many nieces and nephews who showered her with many loving visits.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bill Barr; sister, Violet Robie Day; brothers, Raymond and Marvin Robie; sisters-in-law, Barbara and Joyce Robie, Mary Barr Ward, Ruth Barr Allison, and Joann and Barbara Barr; brothers-in-law, Bill Day, David Briggs, Paul and Kenneth Barr, Bob Queen, and Homer Ward.

Jean's greatest desire was to serve her Heavenly Father. She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene where she faithfully served.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the special caregivers and hospice workers who helped to make it possible for Jean to remain in her home during her 13 year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

The funeral service for Jean Barr will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at First Church of the Nazarene in Gallipolis with Pastors Michael Hancock, David Brown, and Gene Harmon officiating. Her burial will follow in Vinton Memorial Park. Friends may call prior to the service on Thursday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the food pantry at First Church of the Nazarene in Gallipolis.