Moultrie, Georgia – Hortense Joyce Patch Barber, 93, of Moultrie, GA, passed away February 24, 2026, in Moultrie. Born June 30, 1932, in Avondale Estates, GA, she was the daughter of Jewell Cecil Head and Wesley Hamilton Patch.

Joyce graduated from Moultrie High School in 1949 where she was a cheerleader and homecoming queen. She then went on to Mercer University where she joined Phi Mu Sorority and earned a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1954.

In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her son, Albert (Al) White Barber, Jr., and her beloved husband, Albert White Barber. Their 50-year marriage – marked by kindness, mutual respect, and a shared love for the Lord- has served as a shining example to their family and all who knew them.

Joyce was a faithful wife, loving mother, and a gracious and dedicated homemaker. She was actively involved in civic organizations and a long-term member of Trinity Baptist Church. She served as President of several organizations, including the Moultrie Junior Woman’s Club, Morning Glory Garden Club, Stringfellow Elementary PTA, Roundtable Book Club, and Trinity Baptist Church Woman’s Missionary Union. She was a sustaining member of the Moultrie Service League and a member of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America.

Joyce served on the Board of Directors of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System. She was appointed by the Moultrie City Council to the committee that developed the Office of Equal Opportunity in Colquitt County.

Her deep Christian faith was evident in her lifelong service to Trinity Baptist Church, where she led and participated in numerous committees. In 2000, she was honored to be the first woman ordained as a deaconess by Trinity Baptist Church and the Colquitt County Baptist Association.

A true southern lady, Joyce loved her family and friends. She was an avid bridge player who enjoyed life and found great joy traveling the world with her family.

She is survived by her three children: Joyce (Joy) Patch Barber Kryder (Stan) of Atlanta, GA, Stephen (Steve) Keith Barber (Elaine) of Moultrie, GA, and Cecil Hamilton Barber (Celina) of Moultrie, GA, and six grandchildren: Robert Stanley Kryder, Jr. (Evan), Kathryn Barber Kryder Putnam (Jeff), Caroline Long Barber, John Stephen Barber, Christine Louise Barber, and Victoria Lynne Barber. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Trinity Baptist Church from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, Friday, March 06, 2026. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM at Trinity Baptist Church with Dr. James C. Elder, Jr. officiating. Family internment will follow in Westview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, Moultrie, GA.

Cobb Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.