Barry Dobson

Barry Lamar Dobson, affectionately known as “Rev,” “Heavy,” “Heavy D,” and “Dobson,” was born on June 29, 1964, to Dorothy Ann Rhodes and the late Arnold Benjamin Dobson, in El Dorado, AR. Barry attended El Dorado High School and graduated in 1982. After graduation, he attended Ouachita Baptist University. 

The Rev. Barry L Dobson accepted Christ in 1977 and was baptized at Morning Star Baptist Church in El Dorado by his Late Grandfather, Rev. Curtis Rhodes, Sr., who served as the Pastor of the church. 

On June 30, 1984, Barry united in holy matrimony with his high school sweetheart, Vicky J. Anderson, at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, El Dorado, AR. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Tiffany and Mia. 

Rev. Dobson was called into the Gospel Ministry in 1982 and, since that time, has served as a Pastor for over 38 years. He served as Pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church Mt. Holly for 2 years, El Bethel Baptist Church for 4 years, and in 1992, accepted the calling as Pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where he served faithfully until God called him home! He loved his St. John Church family where he served for 32 years and accomplished each goal that he set out to do. During that time, as Pastor and people, he led the church family in celebration of the mortgage burnings for both the church and the Family Life Center (FCDA, Inc.) They also celebrated many financial payoffs, such as transportation, renovations, etc. Pastor Dobson was very instrumental in organizing the Waiting to Excel Summer Camp beginning in 2005 until present. 

Rev. Dobson served in many capacities at the local and state levels of the National Baptist Congress/conventions and Friendship District. He also served in many community organizations, such as the Arkansas Black History Commission, Union Country Historical Society, Ministries Alliance, Healthy Families of America, and many more! Barry also had many hobbies such as spending time with family, traveling, cooking and sharing his recipes with others, fishing, hunting, entertaining children, sitting in bookstores for hours, football, The Pittsburgh Steelers, and loved calling for the EL DORADO WILDCATS, singing and PREACHING/TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD. He also loved to dress, a tie connoisseur, cologne, and watches. 

Barry was a Licensed Funeral Director and served with the Sims Mortuary staff. 

Barry Lamar Dobson departed this life on June 10, 2024, at Baptist Health in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his father, Arnold Dobson, maternal grandparents Curtis Sr. and Lacerene Rhodes, and paternal grandparents, Quilla and Flora Mae Dobson. Three aunts, Jeri Jean Dobson, Waheedah Shaheed, and Valada Jackson. Three uncles, Ellinger l. Dobson, Lorenza V. Dobson, Gary V. Dobson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 40 years, Vicky J. Dobson; daughters, Tiffany Dobson (LJ) of Bossier City, LA, Mia Woods (Rashad) of Little Rock, AR; god-daughter Jameisha Sincere (Vernon) Little Rock, AR; Mother, Dorothy Ann Dobson, Norphlet, AR; one brother Antonio Rowland (Stephanie) Strong, AR; two sisters, Constance Dobson, Norphlet, AR, Sheryl Dobson, Los Angeles, CA. The love of his life, Grand Daughter Averie Kamille Woods, as he affectionately called her his “Bougie Baby AK”; a special niece, Kaitlyn Trinity-Grace Anderson; four aunts, Faye Lowery, Tammy McMurrian (Jake), Connie Gibson (Wayne), all of El Dorado, AR, Helen Taylor (James) of Hot Springs, AR; two uncles, Curtis “Sonny” Rhodes, Jr. (Sarah), El Dorado, AR, Darcy Dobson (Mable), Hot Springs, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.