The life and legacy of Dr. Marian Barr

The life and legacy of Dr. Marian Barr

Local medical pioneer passes away

By the Evening Times News Staff

news @ theeveningtimes .com

It was a life of service and a life of blazing a trail.

Dr. Marian Barr passed away on Friday, Jan. 11, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. A longtime fixture in the West Memphis and Crittenden County community, Dr. Barr leaves behind an important legacy.

Dr. Marion Barr was the first African American physician to establish a medical practice in West Memphis. She received her doctorate degree in Medicine from Meharry Medical College, with a residency in Internal Medicine and further study in Nephrology and Hypertension. She taught at Philander Smith College in Little Rock for two years prior to medical school.

Dr. Barr was a standout in her chosen field and in the community she called home. She was a New York Life Scholar and is listed in Who’s Who among students in American Universities and Colleges.

A member of Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society, Sigma Xi Biologic Honorary Society, American Medical Association and the Arkansas Medical Society, she was the Medical Director at West Memphis Intermediary Care Facility, known as Pathfinders, Inc., and served on the Board of Trustees at Arkansas State University Mid-South.

She recently served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of East Arkansas Family Health Center, which has six healthcare delivery sites: West Memphis, Lepanto, Blytheville, Trumann, Helena and Earle. She was also a certified Parliamentarian by the National Association of Parliamentarians and her picture hangs on the Wall of Health Sciences at the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, honoring distinguished healthcare professionals.

She received the Governors Certificate of Outstanding Services to the Community. She was a member of the Arkansas Medical Society and the Crittenden County Medical Society, a Life Member of the NAACP, a member of the Royal Grand Chapter; Order of the Eastern Star, a Chartering Member of Pi Chi Omega Chapter and Lifetime Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

She was the author of the History of the Earle Arkansas Dunbar Schools, and was a Board Member of the Earle Dunbar School Reunion Association, where she coordinated the 2019 Earle Dunbar School Reunion.

At an early age. Dr. Barr was baptized to the AME Church by her father, Rev.

Z. E. Barr, and was a member of the Bethel AME Church in West Memphis where she served on the Board of Trustees.

Visitation Friday, Jan. 17, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Wolf Brothers Funeral Home In West Memphis. Services at 15th Street Church of God in Christ Saturday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to services.

Burial will be in Earle with Repast at 15th Street Church of God in Christ.

Dr. Marian Barr