BARBER

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 06:52:22 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, February 14, 1935
Page 1

Thomas E. Barber, Well Known Here, Dies in New York

Thomas E. Barber, well known in this city, passed away at the Presbyterian Hospital in New York Feb. 5 according to work received here by friends.

Mr. Barber was engaged with the Presbyterian Board of Missions in South America for many years, and was taken to New York for treatment, arriving there on January 24. He was accompanied by Mrs. Barber.

For some time the couple were located at Bogata, Columbia, but for the past year have been residing at Ocana, where he was taken ill with what was thought to be malaria or a similar ailment.

When death came, his wife, Ethel Barber, was at his side. He was deeply religious and most active in church work. His last words as he lay dying were to his wife when she asked him if he knew he was to leave soon. “You mean to go home?” “I am in his hands.” He then passed away in a few moments.

Barber initiated the first Sunday school convention ever to be held in Columbia. He enjoyed being with the younger missionaries and their children in the field of foreign service.

During September of this year he began to have intestinal trouble. But he kept to his work, and in December attended a meeting of the executive committee of the Presbyterian Board of Missions.

He left South America on Jan. 9 and arrived in New York six days later. Ship doctors worked over the man the entire trip but with little success, but he survived to pass his last days in his native land.