Ms. Barbara Ann Fuller Lavender

The eldest, Barbara Ann Fuller Lavender was born in Denmark, TN on March 20, 1953 to the late Thelma Arnette Fuller and the late James Merriweather. She made preparations and took the hand of the Father when she heard Him call and say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. She entered into eternal rest from her labors on March 28, 2025 being confident that her good works will follow her. She professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was a member of the Salem Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Briggs. She later joined the St. Paul CME Church. When she moved to Birmingham, AL she was a faithful member of the True Vine Ministries. She was educated in the Jackson Madison County School system and was a 1971 graduate of Jackson-Central Merry High School, where she served in many capacities including a cheerleader. She was united in Holy matrimony to the late Johnny Lavender on September 2, 1994 until his passing. Bobbie relocated to Dallas, TX while she worked for the government and made her home in Birmingham, AL where she worked as a CNA until her health failed. She also worked at Bruce Hardwood when she lived in Jackson. The Father, Son, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost in her words was all that she needed for she knew she had God’s angels protecting and encamped all around her. She was Our Prayer Warrior and loved her church family with all she had in her and they loved her right back, many looking up to her as a big sister. She loved her family and God; helping those who were lost and did not know the Father as their Lord and Saviour; oftentimes introducing them to Him and they became forever changed. Loving on everyone she met for she truly never met a stranger. Some of her favorite sayings included: “Jesus Christ is the Reason for All of My Blessings and My Miracles, Amen; Everyday is my Blessing Day, Right now in the name of Jesus, Amen; I am believing the unbelievable and I am receiving the impossible from God right now in the name of Jesus. ” Bobbie was saved and she was saved for real and did not play about her Lord and Saviour nor her Father’s business. She was preceded in death by her Mother: Thelma Arnette Fuller and Father: James Merriwether; Husband Johnny Lavender; One Sister: Freddie Mae Harden; One Brother: Joe Edward Fuller; Maternal grandmother: Mary Joe Deberry; Three aunts: Gracie Dean, Ora Davis, and Edna Bond; Four Great Aunts: Sallie Fuller, Jennie Pettigrew, Katie Fuller, and Annie Weddle; Five Great Uncles: Leroy Fuller, Obe Fuller, Boe Messiah (Hannah) Fuller, Tipp Fuller, and Isaac “Garfield” (Ella Mae) Fuller; God brother: Donald Marshall “Duck” Woods; and a host of cousins and paternal relatives. She leaves to cherish her memory her two devoted daughters; Daughters: Tina Marie Pirtle of Nashville, TN & Felicia Delois (Daniel) Delaine of Columbia, SC; One Loving Sister: Johnnie Mae (Michael) Douglas of Jackson, TN; One Loving Brother: John Thomas “JT” (Yolanda) Gause Jr. of Jackson, TN; Four Grandsons: Cedarius (Jassinee) Ross of Jackson, TN; RaShun Pirtle of Murfreesboro, TN; Ashton T. Sharpe of Jackson, TN; & Jalen Sharpe of Medon, TN; Four Nephews: Stephun Harden of Medon, TN; Michael Lu’Dale Douglas Jr. & Garrick Te’Rell Douglas both of Jackson, TN; & John Thomas “Tre” Gause III of Tacoma, WA; One Niece: Janesika Jon-Tia Gause of Jacksonville, FL; Seven Great Grandchildren: Cedarius “CJ” Ross Jr, Caiden Ross, Carter Ross, & Rhyleigh Mann all of Jackson, TN; CaMarion Pirtle, Kaleb Mason, & Maverick Pirtle all of Murfreesboro, TN; Three Great-Great Grandchildren: Kay’Lani Legaci Sharpe, Kyaire Sharpe, & Cain Sharpe all of Jackson, TN; Five Great Nephews: Michael L. “Tre” Douglas III, Jah’Michael Douglas, Tylar Myles all of Jackson, TN; Jaheim Greer of Medon, TN; Gunner Marshall Gause of Jacksonville, FL; Four Great Nieces: Eryn M. Douglas, & Vinnity Douglas both of Jackson, TN; Emmori & Memori Douglas of Henderson, TN; Brother-in-law: Reverend Julius “Booby” Harden of Medon, TN; and A Host of Cousins, Church Family, Other Relative and Friends.

Ms. Barbara Ann Fuller Lavender

March 20, 1953 - May 28, 2025