Dr. Walter Joseph Barial

1926 - 2017

Dr. Walter Joseph Barial, a true servant of God, marched obediently home as a faithful soldier under the command of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who ordered him home on April 5, 2017 at the age of 90. He was born May 21, 1926 in Pascagoula, MS, the eldest son and third child of Mr. Walter A. Barial and the former Miss Olivia Collins. Dr. Barial received his elementary education at St. Peter the Apostle School in Pascagoula and went on to attend St. Emma Military Academy in Rock Castle, VA. After completing his junior year, he was drafted and served in the US Army during World War II.He saw tours of duty in both the European and Pacific theaters of operations and was awarded the Bronze Star. Following his honorable discharge, returned to Mississippi to complete his high school education at Our Mother of Sorrows High School in Biloxi, MS. Dr. Barial went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana, graduating in 1951. He was briefly employed as a chemist at the Kaiser-Frazer automobile plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan prior to enrolling at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1956, Dr. Barial graduated from Meharry Medical College. He completed his internship and surgical residency at Homer G. Phillips Hospital and Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Following his residency, he worked at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis. While in St. Louis, he met the former Miss Sylvia Fraction, whom he married in 1962. To this union were born three children: Walter Barial, Lauren Barial, MD, and the Honorable Monique Barial-Carey, Judge. In 1962, Dr. Barial and his wife moved from St. Louis to New Orleans. It was in the New Orleans community that Dr. Barial became among the first board-certified physicians in Louisiana and joined Medical Associates, the first African-American owned multi-specialty medical practice in the state. The practice had multiple locations and served primarily African-American residents throughout the metropolitan area. Among other positions he held, Dr. Barial served as Chief of Staff of Pendleton Methodist Memorial Hospital, United Medical Center and St. Claude General Hospital. He also held staff privileges at Flint Goodridge Hospital and Sara Mayo. He served as a physician at W-15 clinic at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, from which he retired in 2005. He most recently served as the University Physician at the student health center at Southern University at New Orleans where he practiced until the summer of 2016. He was a longtime member of the National Medical Association, the Louisiana State Medical Society and New Orleans Medical Association. He was also a member of the national fraternal organization Alpha Alpha Boule and The Bunch Club, for which he served as president and Mardi Gras Ball chair. He was also a passionate New Orleans Saints fan and was a season ticket holder for many years. Dr. Barial was a devout Catholic, attending Catholic schools exclusively from the elementary level through his graduation from Xavier University. He was a member of the Newman Club at Meharry Medical College and practiced his faith diligently throughout his life. He attended mass regularly, and in his later years, daily. Upon settling in New Orleans he became a parishioner at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in Pontchartrain Park and later, St. Maria Goretti Church in eastern New Orleans. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 54 years, Sylvia, son Walter, daughters Lauren and Monique, son-in-law Michael Carey (Monique), granddaughter Morgan Riley Barial Carey, sisters Victorine Bonam and Marie Bonam and brother Francis X. Barial of Pascagoula, sister-in-law Patricia Jones as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Relatives and friends of the family, Priest and parishioners of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church are invited to attend the visitation Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church 4700 Pineda St., New Orleans, LA 70126 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11:00 am. Interment at Providence Memorial Park, 8200 Airline Highway, Metairie LA. A repast will follow at St. Gabriel Parish Hall. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 22, 2017 time and location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Xavier University of Louisiana in the name of Walter J. Barial. Visit Xavier's website at: www.xula.edu/alumni/howtogive.html. You may sign the guest book on www.gertrudegeddeswillis.com GERTRUDE GEDDES WILLIS FUNERAL HOME INC., IN CHARGE (504) 522-2525.