Mary Jane Barkum

Mary Jane Taylor Barkum, affectionately known to many as Aunt Mary Jane, I was born on September 18, 1937, in Wiggins, Mississippi. To the late Evelyn Fairley, Taylor and Nathaniel "Boss" Taylor.

On September 20, 2026, at 6:30 AM while surrounded by loved ones, she peacefully departed this earthly life Riding upon the wings of angels to our new home.

Mary's early education started at Stone County elementary school, but at the age of eight Mary's parents divorced and her mother relocated Mary and her sister to New Orleans, Louisiana. Mary was the second daughter of six children. She accepted Christ as her savior at a young age in the holiness church. She grew up as a smart, shy, quiet, intelligent, young lady with a thirst for knowledge she continued her education by attending Albert Wicker Elementary School in New Orleans. After graduating high school and beginning her vocational training and the clerical field,that's­where she met the love of her life and would well soon,marry Theoplies " bubba" Barkum on October 31, 1953.

Mary chose to put our career on hold and dedicate herself to the care of her husband and children. From this union came six children four sons and two daughters. Mary transferred our membership to the Baptist Faith and began attending Rosedale missionary Baptist Church, where she served on several committees, including head of the usher board.

In 1971, they moved their family to Gulfport Mississippi to be near her father and stepmother. Where she became a member of the Methodist Faith . Mary began to attend Haven Chapel UMC . However, Her values never changed, her love for her husband and devotion to her family always came first , she wanted to live the example of a virtuous woman. Their marriage union lasted for 55-years until her husband passed away in 2007.

Mary chose to start her career late in life at the age of 37 where she worked as a supervisor at Memorial Hospital of Gulfport for 20 years before retiring. Shortly after retiring Mary's Faith took another turn . In 2004 Mary became a disciple of Trumpet in Zion fellowship church under the leadership of Apostle Darryl G. McCoy Sr. Where she resided for 22 years until her passing. Mary was affectionately known as to mother of the Gulfport TIZ church.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her beloved daughters Joan (Labat) Parker, Hazel Ann (John) Beavers, Sr.; her sons Edward (Velma) Barkum, Nathaniel (Teresa) Barkum,Sr., Theoplies

(Tamekia) Barkum of San Antonio, TX. Brother James {Michelle) Taylor of New Orleans, LA. Aunt Sylvester Williams of Wiggins, MS. Fifteen grandchildren: Treniece Parker, LaToya {Samuel) Jennings, Brittany (Jerome) Lyons, John {Crystal) Beavers. Jr., Basil Allen, Patrice Armstrong, Michael {Signoret) Barkum, Jr., Tehariah Barkum, Nathaniel Barkum, Jr., Tristan Barkum, Gavin Barkum, Nicholas (Adriana) Barkum, Nia Barkum, Niya Barkum, Alea Landry. Seventeen great grandchildren: Zechariah, Daniet Jacob, Skylar, Haizley, Aliviah, Madilyn, Braylon, Atlas, Matthew, Alyssa, Kam, Corey, Joselynn, Ariah, Ethan, and Cam.