Joel Christopher Barber, 37, of Columbia, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023. Born on November 9, 1985, in Columbia, South Carolina, he was a son of Debra Greene Barber and the late Donald Lee Barber, Jr.

Joel graduated from Spring Valley High School and earned his associate degree from Midlands Technical College. He pursued a career as a certified technician specializing in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Joel was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, archery, camping and kayaking. He had a passion for skateboarding and reading. Joel was a free spirit with a gentle soul who loved animals. He cared deeply for others and would go out of his way to help those in need. Joel is loved and will be missed by many.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his siblings, Jennifer Nicole Watts (Michael), Joshua Barber, and Ryan Mitchell Barber (Jennifer); nieces and nephews, Rivers Dooley, Trevor Watts, Pearce Watts, Hampton Watts, Carson Watts, Baylee Barber, Aiden Barber, and Breccan Barber; paternal grandparents, Donald Lee Barber, and Dorles Dillow Barber. In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Jimmy Greene and Lavon Caudill.

The funeral service for Joel will be held at 11:30 o'clock on Saturday, March 25th, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Summit Ward, 2350 White Pine Road, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends before the service in the Relief Society Room of the church beginning at 10 o'clock. Burial will take place at Centerville Cemetery in Ridgeway, SC. Friends may visit between the hours of 9 and 5 o'clock prior to Saturday to sign the guest register and pay their respects at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC.