James Barnhill

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

James L. Barnhill of Poplar Bluff, a retired educator and banker, died Sunday, June 4, 2023, at his home after a brief illness. He was 90.

Mr. Barnhill, a native of Wyatt, Missouri, in Mississippi County, spent a 32-year career as a teacher and school administrator before retiring from education and entering the banking industry. After 11 years as the executive vice-president of the Quad County Bank at Viburnum, Missouri, Mr. Barnhill moved to Poplar Bluff in his “second retirement” in 1999 to be closer to his family.

Born at Wyatt on July 5, 1932, to the late James L. and Delores Vinson Barnhill, Mr. Barnhill graduated from Charleston High School in 1950. He then joined the U.S. Army and served as a sergeant in the personnel section of a field artillery unit during the Korean Conflict.

After his Army discharge, he enrolled in Southeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Southeast Missouri State University) to pursue a degree in elementary education. Before completing his degree, he taught and served as principal of the three-room Dogwood, Missouri, school in rural Mississippi County for two years.

After finishing his bachelor’s degree, by attending night classes and summer school, Mr. Barnhill was employed by the East Prairie School District for 22 years as a teacher and administrator. During that period, he earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a specialist degree from Southeast Missouri State University.

He later served as superintendent of schools at Hayti and Viburnum, where he retired and began his banking career. He was a graduate of the Missouri School of Banking.

Mr. Barnhill was married to Aloyce Barnhill, also a teacher, who preceded him in death. They loved to travel in their retirement years.

Baptized as a child in the Wyatt Methodist Church, Mr. Barnhill was an active Methodist wherever he lived. He served on many church councils and committees and most recently was a member of the Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church.

He was a 50-year member of the Charleston Masonic Lodge No. 407, a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the Masonic Scottish Rite of St. Louis.

Surviving are one son, James Aaron Barnhill (Becky) of Grandin; three step-daughters, Sherry Rush (Danny) and Vicky Hoover, both of Poplar Bluff, and Mary Jo Saulter (Jim) of DeSoto; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Barnhill was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Steven Mark Barnhill; a stepson, Gary Welty, and a half-sister, Hazel Barnhill Ward.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11 a.m., Monday, June 12, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, 500 North Main St., Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Officiating will be the Rev. Shiela Boyles.

Committal services with full military honors will follow at 2 p.m., Monday, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston.

Pallbearers will be: Eddie Barnhill, Drake Barnhill, Justin Hayman, Brad Barnhill, Scott Rush and Cody Rush.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Garner, Eddie Pfifer, Donnie Sams and Ed McWilliams.