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Barbara Saturday Echord, 70

 Dr. Barbara Saturday Echord passed away at her home on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at the age of 70. Barbara, a native of Cook County, was born October 13, 1951 to the late Jack and Frances Powell Saturday. After graduation from Cook High School, she attended Troy State University, where she was a percussionist in the “Sound of the South” band under the direction of Dr. John M. Long. Upon completion of her BA at Troy (1973), Barbara then completed her Masters at Valdosta State and a PhD from the University of Florida.

Barbara enjoyed a career in education: teaching music, math, typing and then going into administration. Barbara was honored by the Miami-Dade Community College District for her significant role in their accreditation process. She finished her career at Troy State University as the Director of Online Student Services, retiring in 2015. She was a lifetime member of Adel United Methodist Church, where she sang in the Chancel Choir and was in the bell choir.

Barbara met her husband, Jess Echord, at Troy State University and they married in June of 1974. Jess was career military and as his assignments changed, so did their address. Homestead AFB (FL), Nellis AFB (Las Vegas), Sheppard AFB(Wichita Falls), Davis Monthan AFB (Tucson, AZ), Pease AFB(NH), Langley AFB(VA), Moody AFB(GA) were some of the assignments. They returned to Cook County full time upon retirement.

Survivors include her husband, Jesse G. Echord (Major/RET) of Adel; sister Jackie (Joseph) Holley of Enterprise, AL; sister in law and brother in law, Rachell (Sean) Cary of Jennings, FL; nieces and nephews, Jenny Holley of Enterprise, AL, Jessica (Donald) Hendrix of Slocomb, AL, Georgia Cary and William Cary of Jennings, FL; and special cousins, Deborah (Joe) Manning of Tifton GA, Dorothy (Wayne) Brazeau of Moultrie GA, among many other cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew, William Joshua Holley. 

Graveside service was held Monday, March 14, 2022 at Woodlawn Cemetery Annex with Rev. Robert Wood and Rev. Joseph Holley officiating. “Be Still, My Soul” will be played by the AUMC Bell Choir. Pallbearers were Joe Manning, Tony Storey, Wayne Brazeau, Sean Cary, Donald Hendrix, and Jimmy Lawrence. Honorary pallbearer will be Edwin Garden. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.purvisfh.com. Purvis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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