Deacon Robert Barnum Jr.

A Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Robert Barnum Jr., who passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2025, service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at First Union M.B. Church, 3707 E. Chelsea Street, Tampa, FL 33610, with Pastor Bruce E. Garmon Sr., Officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Deacon Robert Lee Barnum Jr. was born December 29, 1945, to the late Robert Lee Barnum Sr. and the late Lillie Mae Kimbrough Barnum. Robert, along with his parents and four siblings, relocated from Shellman, GA, to Tampa, FL, where they resided in the Sulphur Springs Community for many years.  Robert graduated from Middleton H.S. and later went into the US Army, where he served in the Vietnam War and had many medals for his dedicated service in the US Army.

After returning from military service, Robert began working at Fashion Craft Furniture Company, where he learned the skilled trade of furniture reupholstery. His natural talent for craftsmanship led him to a long career in the field. Years later, along with his brother Joel, they opened Barnum Upholstery and acquired an international cleaning franchise from Duraclean International. Located at 6419 N. 40th Street, their business became a trusted name in the community for over two decades.

Robert accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized as a young boy, laying the spiritual foundation for a lifetime of faith. He later joined First Union Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa, where he served faithfully for many years as a deacon. He was a man of quiet conviction who led by example, offering his time and support to the church family until his health began to decline in recent years.

He was preceded in death by: his daughter, Angalia Whicker Tabor; granddaughter, Cyenna R. Watts; grandson, Taveon Calloway; father, Robert Lee Barnum Sr.; mother, Lillie Mae Kimbrough Barnum; brother, Luther Gene Barnum; sister, Vernel Peke Barnum; nephew, Thaddeus Barnum; and sister-in-law, Stephaine Calloway  Monroe.

Robert leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife for 45 years, Sarah Barnum; 2 daughters, Kim Williams  and Tenesia Calloway; 2 granddaughters, Khadijiah Boone and Sentavia Tabor; 2 nieces-like-granddaughter, Sharkia and Shaquayla Monroe; 2 grandsons,  Kaveon Calloway and Willie Monroe Jr.;  5 great-grandsons, London Bradley, Lekari Delaney, Cartier Crawley, Marcelous Calloway, and  Nicholas Williams; 1 great-granddaughter, Kenzie Williams; 1 sister, Mildred (Frank) Williams; 1 brother, Joel (Doris) Barnum; 4 brothers-in-law, Shawn (Pam) Calloway, Derek Calloway and friend Tina, Gerald Calloway, and Deacon Joseph Echols; 1 sister-in-law, Carol Bapatiste; nephews, Keith (Tarsha) Barnum, Pastor Kaleb Barnum (Dawn) Barnum, Luther (Colette) Barnum, Michael Lewis Antonio (Kim) Braxton, and Dedrick Barnum; nieces, Teri (Terrell) Taylor, Sherri Judges, Lisa Davis, Nichole (Damien) Smith, Alysia and Alyssia Echols, and Kendra and Kensley Echols; God-son, Kris (Elaine) Sanders; special aunt, Marie Mosley; special friends, Sam Jones, Deacon Michael Hudgins, and Minister James Thompkins; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Special thanks to the Aspire Health Care Team - Dana, Ya-YA, Jennifer, and Stephaine; along with the Hospice home of Temple Terrace – Karen, Lilian, Glenda, Susanne, Chaplain Chip, and the Echols Girls.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at First Union Missionary Baptist Church, 3707 E. Chelsea Street, Tampa, FL 33610.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com 

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