Bobby Jean Harber

He was born Feb. 1, 1931, in Clay County, the son of the late Louie and Grace Harber.

At a young age of 24, he accepted the call to God's ministry and since that time had touched thousands of lives. He has pastored many churches during this tenure. In 1976 he made a commitment to serve the wonderful people who were refugees of the Vietnam War "H'Mong, Lao, Thai, Cambodian."

Mr. Harber was instrumental in establishing 20 Asian/American churches, primarily in California. The ministry also included three Spanish/American churches and two African/American churches in the greater Los Angeles area.

He was instrumental in opening the door for the H/Mong students in Mount Olive College and Oakland City College in Indiana. He also played a large part in making the Christ on Bible available to the H'Mong people in their own language with help from his wife, Dollie.

Mr. Harber was named a honorary citizen of Laos and received an honorary doctorate from the Lao Evangelical Church.

He developed a dictionary of Christian terms in the H'Mong language. In Sonora, Calif., he spoke annually at the Lao Evangelical church youth camp at which 40 to 50 youth were baptized each summer.

In 1966 retirement was considered by Mr. Harber, and he relocated to Belhaven, N.C. In Belhaven he began pastoring Sidney Free Will Baptist Church.

After four years and much church growth in North Carolina, he yearned to return to the mission field. In the year 2000, he accepted the charge to pastor a General Baptist Church in Zephyrhills, Fla. The church in Zephyrhills grew from eight members to in excess of 100 members at the time of his passing.

He was preceded in death by a brother and first wife.

He is survived by his wife, Dollie; seven children, Cathy Jane Norred of Piggott, Denny Jones of Conway, Mike Jones of Paragould, Teresa Jackson of Southern Pines, N.C., Larry Harber of Memphis, Pam Campos of California and Donald Harber of Florida; 15 grandchildren and two-great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector with Rev. Ron Byrd officiating.

Irby Funeral Home of Rector was in charge of arrangements.