Drunell Barber

Drunell “Dru” Barber was born to Annie Jewel and Lee Clyde Barber on August 13, 1959. Drunell was raised in Hattiesburg Mississippi and was one of nine children. He attended Hawkins Junior High and Hattiesburg High school. Outside of the classroom, Drunell really enjoyed spending time with his close friends. His personality was fun and games. He loved having fun and making people laugh. On Sunday afternoon’s, Annie and Lee would take their children for drives around town. Both parents worked a lot of long hours, their children did not see much of them during the week, so Sundays were the family’s time to relax and enjoy one another. They would take their children to look at various sites, communities, and the overall beauty of the countryside. This is when Drunell developed his love for road trips which he would take later on in his life.

At the young age of 17, Drunell decided to join the armed forces under the Army branch on October 1, 1976. Even amongst other soldiers he was well known for being the prankster and the joker which allowed him to gain a variety of friends along his way. He was discharged August 1, 1979.

During the 1980s, Drunell began working for an oil company in Louisiana. He worked on a barge and there he fell in love with the water. Drunell loved sailing and the peace he felt being with the sea. Along his journey, Drunell had the opportunity to meet some kind folks that showed him love and hospitality. This is where he developed the saying, “just be a good person.” They made him feel like he was a part of the family.

During his early 30s, he reconnected with a woman he used to date back in high school. Her name was Sonara C. They later went on to get married and gave birth to their first child on August 6, 1997. They named him Drunell Barber II. As the family settled into their new home in Spring Valley, San Diego the couple had a daughter. She was born January 1, 2002. They named her Drunara Aquilla Barber.

Drunell strongly believed in providing for his family, and thus he worked long and hard hours as a longshoreman. He enjoyed being a longshoreman because he was able to bond with his co-workers. There, he met his good friend, Kelvin. Outside of his work life, Drunell was very fond of watching movies. On Saturdays, he would take his daughter to the movie theater and they would spend the majority of their day hopping from one movie to the next. He also valued a good meal. Sometimes on weekends, Drunell and his daughter would take hour-long trips to find the best restaurant they could eat at. He loved a good burger. Whenever he would watch Diners, Drive-ins, and Dive, it was time to find a new place!

Drunell lived the rest of his life in San Pedro, California so he was a long way from home. During the summers, he would take road trips to Mississippi with his “road dog” , his daughter. They would play smooth jazz music and stop at different restaurants. Drunell loved the simplicity of driving and looking at all the beautiful sites God had for him to see.

Drunell wanted the best for children. He wanted Drunell and Drunara to experience a good life, one which they knew not of struggle. Drunell would say to his children, “You don’t owe me anything but to do good in life and be happy. If you’re happy, I’m happy”

He was not a perfect man, he made plenty of mistakes along his way, but he did his best. Regardless of class, race, or creed, Drunell saw people as people. He wanted nothing more than to laugh and have a good time.

Sunrise: August 8, 1959

Sunset: June 28, 2022

“You will encounter many defeats but you must never be defeated, ever. I would teach my daughter to laugh, laugh a lot” - Maya Angelou