Barney Lee Pullen, Sr., age 92, died Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the Mississippi State Veteran’s Home in Oxford, MS. He was born August 14, 1924 in Yalobusha County, MS to the late Robert Hall and Maude Irene Vaughn Pullen. Barney served two active terms in the United States Navy where he served on the USS Wren, the USS John W. Weeks, and the USS Haynsworth. After leaving the military he worked as Locomotive Engineer for the Illinois Central Railroad until his retirement. Barney was a faithful member of Sylva Rena Baptist Church and loved reading and studying his Bible. He enjoyed gardening, raising cows, and discussing history and his military career. Barney was a devoted husband, uncle, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who cherished time spent with family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley. Funeral services will follow the visitation in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. James West and Bro. Shane Crawford officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley with Travis Brooks, Ronnie Eubanks, Larry Sprouse, Tom Byars, Dalton Rogers and Buddy Edwards serving as pallbearers. Friends from Illinois Central Railroad will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Barney is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Ware Pullen of Water Valley; three sons, William “Willie” (Kathy) Pullen, Joseph “Joe” (Jean) Pullen, and Dr. Barney “Lee” (Andrea) Pullen all of Water Valley, MS; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; two step grandchildren and three step great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Irene “Bootsie” Edwards; and three brothers, Allen Pullen, Chapman Pullen and Raymond “Doc” Pullen.