Leeman Russell Barge Obituary (1937

Leeman R. Barge, 85, of Sharpsburg, formerly of East Point, died Thursday, January 05, 2023. Leeman Barge was born on December 30, 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia and moved with his family from College Park to East Point in 1940. Leeman lived in Jefferson Park and attended Harris Street Elementary School. He graduated from Russell High School in 1955. After graduating from Georgia State University, Leeman began a long, notable career in financial management with the US Department of Agriculture. He said the most rewarding part of his time with the USDA was "helping people". He retired in 1994. He married Rachel Paris in 1960, and with their four children, lived in East Point. Leeman was heavily involved with programs dedicated to the city's youth including: Dodson Drive Elementary School PTA Vice President (and legendary Fall Carnival cake walk emcee); PTA Vice President of Headland High School; PTA Vice President of Woodland High School; Sports Booster Club President at Headland and Woodland; Headland Band Booster Club President; East Point Elementary Schools' Honor Band "Band Aid." Additionally, Leeman coached numerous East Point Little League baseball teams and was the League's President. He was a leader in two Boy Scout troops (Troop 100 and Troop 54). It is not a stretch to say that Leeman attended nearly every elementary and high school event at his children's schools in some form of leadership capacity. At the time of his ordination, Leeman was the youngest ordained deacon at Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church and, as a lifelong member, was an active leader for decades. He joined the staff of JABC as its business director less than one week after his retirement. He also served on the East Point Clean Community System's Board in the 1980s and was an active member of the Tri-Cities Civitans for years. Leeman was elected to the East Point City Council in 1988. He also served as a representative on the Board of the South Fulton Hospital Authority. For years, he also comforted families while assisting local funeral homes. Married in May 2002, Leeman and Rebecca Jett combined their love for, and dedication to, their church, their newly expanded family, and their community. They lived in Sharpsburg, Georgia, and they enjoyed many years volunteering together at Piedmont-Fayette Hospital. Leeman's leadership, loyalty, commitment, humor, integrity and friendliness will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde W. and Gladys Whitlock Barge; his first wife, Rachel Paris Barge; and his sister, LaVerne McCard. Surviving are his wife, Rebecca Jett Barge; their children, Julie Barge Robinson, Rob & Trisha Barge, Tim Barge, Alex Barge, Holly & Rob Corin, and Doug Elliott; several grandchildren, great grandchildren; a niece, nephew, and great nieces and great nephew. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 9th at Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church, with Reverend Darwin Caldwell officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in College Park. The family respectfully requests that flowers be OMITTED, and memorial contributions be made to Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church, 1150 Jefferson Avenue, East Point, GA 30344. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at the church. Donehoo-Lewis Funeral Home, Hapeville. 404-761-2171 To send a flower arrangement in memory of Leeman Russell Barge, please click here to visit our sympathy store. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Leeman Russell Barge, please click here to visit our sympathy store.