Virginia Sue Shepard Barr

Virginia Sue Shepard Barr of Oak Ridge, LA, was born April 20, 1939, and met the King of Glory on January 16, 2025. 

Virginia Sue attended Louisiana State University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. After graduation, she returned to Oak Ridge where she married the late John Sawyer “Duke” Barr, III, and devoted her life to her church, the community, and her family. She was a lifelong member and fierce leader of Oak Ridge Methodist Church, where her duties included Sunday School teacher, pianist, floral designer and gardener. Virginia Sue loved working in her yard and was featured twice in Southern Living Magazine for her renowned spider lilies and pink naked ladies. However, her greatest passion was rooting for any LSU sport. You could find her many Saturday nights cheering on her “boys” in Death Valley. 

Virginia Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Clint Elmer Shepard and Emma Sue Norris Shepard. 

Survivors include her three children, Jesse Shepard Barr (Margaret), Daniel Clay Barr (Kim), Virginia Hope Barr Robertson (Dan); brother, Clint Edwin Shepard (Saundra); eight grandchildren, Emma Allyne Barr, Camille Joy Barr, Haynes Shepard Barr, Jacob Clayton Barr, John Barron Barr, Lelia Hope Robertson, Rebecca Ruth Robertson, and Dan Sawyer Robertson; brother in law, James Larry Barr, M.D., lifelong best friend Nancy Files Allen, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Betty Givens and Carolyn Givens for their devoted love and care.

Pallbearers include Haynes Barr, Jacob Barr, John Barr, Sawyer Robertson, Scott Shepard and Tom Allen. 

Visitation will be held at the Oak Ridge Methodist Church on Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 1:30-2:30 PM, with funeral immediately following with Dr. Brian Mercer officiating. Graveside service will be held at the Oak Ridge Baptist Cemetery, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Sterlington Rd., Monroe, LA.

Memorials may be made to Oak Ridge Methodist Church, P.O. Box 88, Oak Ridge, LA 71264.