Barbara Dumas

Barbara was born on March 22, 1957 to Robert and Ruby Gunn in Houston, Mississippi.

Raised by a hardworking, God-Fearing, no-nonsense mother of integrity, she is a native of Houston, Mississippi and is the third of four children. Barbara was a 1975 graduate of Houston High School: a 1979 Graduate of Mississippi University for Women and a 1995 graduate of the University of South Alabama with a master's in public administration.

Barbara was also a 1996 graduate of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government and the John C Stennis Center for Public Service (State Executive Development Institute of Mississippi at Mississippi State); additionally, she was a 1998 Graduate of Leadership Jackson County, and other local and state leadership classes.

Barabara was a proud member of the First Missionary Baptist Church where she was serving on the Mission Ministry, Christian Education Ministry & the Hospitality Ministry, where she served as chairperson. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Barbara's public service spans 43 years plus. She loved her community and she deeply loved her family. She nurtured those she loved with patience, wisdom, and unconditional love, always pointing them toward faith, hope, and grace.

Known for her elegance, gentle spirit, and steadfast faith, Barbara faced life's seasons with dignity and courage, resting in the assurance that God was always in control. Though she will be deeply missed, her family rejoices in the promise of eternal life, knowing she is now whole, healed, and rejoicing in Heaven.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Ruby Gunn, a loving sister in love, Mary Frances Gunn, and sister,Gilbertha Jones.

She leaves to cherish her many memories her loving daughter K. Channing Bilbo whom she affectionately called "Chocolate Child", one devoted son in love, Frank Bilbo Jr., her lovingsweetheart, Johnny Smith, two big brothers, James Gunn and Daniel Gunn, two sisters, Ruth Gunn and Elizabeth Gates, one grandson, Kristian Bilbo, and one grandchild on the way.

She shared a special bond with her aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and other too numerous to name. Just know that you were special, even if we don't call you by name.

A Legacy of Love

Barbara retired from Jackson County Government in 2015 with thirty-three and a-half years of service, she was the Director of the Jackson County Grant Department – a department that she set up and the "first" ever for Jackson County, Mississippi. At the time, there were only two others across the state of Mississippi. In 1987 & 2021, she organized two other county departments. Barbara was one of Moss Point's most passionate, effective, and dedicated employees. As the mayor's administrative assistant, she managed the mayor's dailyschedule and liaised between the mayor and the public. Barbara also served the city in a multitude of other ways: Member of the 2026 Mayor and Board of Aldermen Installation Committee , Member of the Moss Point Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Organized the March of the Mayor's food drive for Moss Point, Organized the Mayor's annual Christmas Bikes for Kids program, Organized the Mayor's annual Alumni Brunch,Organized the Mayor's annual Christmas lighting, and open house Treasurer of the Committee to Re-Elect Billy E. Knight for Mayor of Moss Point

Beyond Barbara's academic and professional accomplishments, she was entrenched in our community as an active leader and mentor. She served on numerous boards and commissions which includes the Jackson County Chamber of commerce; Jackson County Federation of Women; Jackson County Airport Authority where she served as secretary and vice- chair (was appointed by the late District Two Supervisor, Melton Harris); Southeast Chapter of the American Red Cross Board of Directors where she served as vice-chair & chair; Community Advisory Committee for Mississippi Chemicals – a Dupont Company; both appointed and elected to the Moss Point School District Board of Trustees where she served as secretary and vice chair; Moss Point Active Citizens where she served as secretary, chair and also where she chaired various committees.