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May 6, 1932 – Oct. 26, 2024

NATCHEZ – Memorial services for Claire Frances McBride Barrett, 92, of Ridgeland formerly of Natchez will be held at noon on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at Jefferson Street Methodist Church with Rev. Will Wilkerson officiating.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at Jefferson Street Church.

Mrs. Barrett was born on May 6, 1932, to Samuel Newton McBride and Frances Ruth Vance McBride in Fort Worth, TX. Claire died at St. Dominics Hospital on Oct. 26, 2024, in Jackson, MS.

Claire was educated in Fort Worth, graduating from North Side High School in 1950, after which she spent four years as an employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.

In 1952, Claire met Bob Barrett, who was doing a tour of duty with the United States Air Force, and they married in Dec. 1952. When Bob received his discharge, in 1955, they moved to Cleveland, MS where he completed his education at Delta State University.

Embarking on a life dedicated to education, the Barrett family spent time in Charleston, Leland, Rosedale, Lambert, Greenwood, Natchez, and Greenville, returning to Natchez in 1983 where they made their home.

Born to Bob and Claire were three children; Robert Allen Barrett, Jr., Terri Barrett Garren, and John McBride Barrett.

After her move to Natchez, Claire received an undergraduate degree in library science from the University of Southern Mississippi and received a Master of Library Science from the University of Mississippi. She was employed by the school systems in Natchez, Greenville, Clinton, and Copiah Lincoln. She retired from public education in 1994, at Franklin County High School.

Affiliations she enjoyed at various times during the family’s many separate locations were the Leland Garden Club, Leland Junior Auxiliary, the American Association of University Women, the Natchez Garden Club, and the Natchez Junior Auxiliary as well as professional organizations at places of employment.

Claire was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Nancy Louise McBride Heflin (Billy) of Fort Worth, TX; an older brother, Samuel Newton McBride, Jr., and twin granddaughters, Jamie Claire, and Julie Elizabeth Barrett.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Allen Barrett of Natchez; her children Allen, Terri, and Mac; two grandsons, Robert Allen Barrett, III (Cameron) of Newnan, GA, and Stephen Matthew Garren (Whittney) of Flowood, MS; three granddaughters, LaurieAnne Lee (Ryan) of Madison, MS, Laura Leigh Barrett of Smyrna, GA, and Jane Claire Abel (Jacob) of Oxford, MS. Also, four great-grandsons, Hayden Matthew Abel, Conner Willam Abel, Richard Allen Barrett, and Palmer James Garren, and one great-granddaughter, Caroline Elizabeth Lee.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Jefferson Street Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.