Gladewater couple killed in crash

By Phillip Williams

An elderly Gladewater couple were killed in a one-vehicle crash on U.S. 271 south of Gilmer Tuesday afternoon, said Upshur County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Rhonda Welch.

The driver, Jimmy Oneal Barber, 79, and his wife, Norma Louise Barber, 77, were pronounced dead at the scene by Welch, she said.

The couple’s southbound 1999 Chevrolet pickup ran off the right side of the roadway into a deep ravine and landed upside down, said Welch. The incident occurred near a private lake.

Jimmy Barber was wearing a safety belt, but his wife, who wasn’t, was ejected from the vehicle, the judge added.

The crash, south of Bluebird Road and 2-3 miles from Gilmer city limits, was reported at 1:22 p.m., said Welch. The bodies were taken to McWhorter Funeral Home outside Gilmer. 

State Trooper Frank (Charlie) Bless led investigation of the crash, Welch said.