Mr. Barham was an Elder at Jackson Street (now named Grace) Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, Louisiana – one of the founding churches of the PCA

Joseph Hamlin (Ham) Barham, Jr., died in his sleep February 9, 2010, in Rapides Regional Medical Center.

Born in New Iberia, January 25, 1939, he was a graduate of Baton Rouge High School and Louisiana State University. He served in the United States Navy in the early 1960’s, and came to Alexandria in 1966 with Commercial Securities, a financial services company. His various entrepreneurial endeavors made him a well known and well respected fixture in the Alexandria business community. He was a lifelong LSU fan and devotee of stock car racing.

The heart of his life was his relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was at various times a deacon, an elder, and the treasurer of Jackson Street (now Grace) Presbyterian Church. For many years he taught Sunday School to elementary school children and played a part in the founding of Grace Christian School. Because of his commitment to the power of the Word of God, he worked for many years with the Gideons, distributing Bibles throughout the central Louisiana area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Hamlin Barham, Sr., and Shirley Davis Barham.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy Crow Barham, his son and daughter-in-law, James Neil and Julie McRay Barham of Miami, and their children, Hannah, Seth, and Leah, his daughter and son-in-law, Jeannie Barham Averette and Kenneth Wayne Averette of Baton Rouge, and their children, Elizabeth, Beau, and Ben.

The visitation and funeral will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 4900 Jackson St. Ext. in Alexandria.

Arrangements are being handled by Hixson Brothers, Alexandria.

Visitation will take place Friday, February 12th, from 5 to 8 pm. The funeral will be Saturday, February 13th at 11 a.m., with visitation from 10 to 11.

The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Grace Presbyterian Church.

Interment will take place at Greenwood Memorial Park in Pineville.
Pallbearers will be Blair Bice, Beau Averette, Benjamin Averette, Kenneth Ave-rette, Dr. William Brown, Calvin Hoge, Michael Day, Jeff Herde and Bobby Smith.
Honorary pallbearers are Ronald Andries, J. Richardson Ayres, Harvey Benson, Merrill Blackburn, Robert Madison, Dr. McGinty Mc-Bride and Walter Morock.