Paul Harrell Barfield

Paul Harrell Barfield, 77, of Cumming, Georgia died peacefully on September 7, 2023 at Northside Hospital Forsyth surrounded by his family.  Born in Moultrie, Georgia on August 3, 1946 to the late Paul Hicks Barfield and the late Christine Harrell Barfield, Harrell was a 1964 graduate of Moultrie High School and a 1972 graduate of Georgia Southwestern.  In between, Harrell served a three-year stint with the United States Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Independence during the Vietnam conflict.

Following college, Harrell spent most of the next 35 years in Moultrie, Georgia where he and his wife, Jane Sparrow Barfield, raised their family in the home where Harrell grew up on 5th Avenue SW.  Harrell worked as an insurance claims representative and continued to serve his country throughout the 1980s as a member of the Georgia Air National Guard.  Harrell was also a dedicated member of First Methodist Church where he served as an usher, a Sunday School teacher, and as a member of several boards.

In 2005, Harrell and Jane re-located to Cumming to be closer to family and Harrell started a new career as “Papa” in 2006.  Until his passing, he was a loving grandfather of four and a dedicated (if grouchy) fan of the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Georgia Bulldogs.  He never won the Georgia Lottery, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Harrell is survived by Jane, his wife of 52 years; two children, Alex Barfield and his wife Kasi of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, and Mandy Barfield Clark and her husband Chris of Cumming, Georgia; and four grandchildren, Benton, Callie, Gibson, and Ava Jane.  He is also survived by his brother Cobby Barfield and his wife Diane of Murphy, North Carolina, several nieces and nephews, many loving friends, and two cats, Jack and Thomas.

There will be a memorial service for Harrell at Cobb Funeral Chapel at 2:00 PM on Friday September 22, 2023.  The family will receive visitors thereafter.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Harrell’s name to the Humane Society of Forsyth County (http://www.forsythpets.org ), or a charity of choice.