Ginger Chalk Barnard, 71, of Magee, Mississippi

Ginger Chalk Barnard, age 71, lifelong resident of Simpson County, passed away peacefully May 14, 2026, at her home in Magee, Mississippi. Ginger was born on December 21, 1954, an early Christmas gift to her parents, Lavell and Elizabeth Chalk. She would go on to be the best big sister to Janie, Walt, William, and Woody.

She graduated from Mendenhall High School in 1972 and married her high school sweetheart, Paul Howard “Buddy” Barnard, in August of that same year. They would be married 54 years and raise two boys, Paul and Justin. Gin was known to say “I do love you girls, but I’m so glad I had boys.” They were the apple of her eye, and she was born to be a momma. While raising two boys in the country and all the shenanigans that entailed, she also contributed to her family by working in Jackson for many years for Bryan Tours. She loved to travel and to help others realize their vision for traveling. When the drive to Jackson got too long and the boys got married, she came back to Mendenhall and worked for Dr. Munn in his clinic. But in September of 1999, Gin received her favorite title to date – “Nannie” when Logan was born. The grandkids started coming and she continued to serve and love her family well by keeping them while their parents worked.

There was no limit to the spoiling she did for her grandkids. From weekends in Bay St. Louis on the coast, Disney World, trips to Mexico, being a short order cook for pancakes if the girls wanted them, theater trips to New York, and a big family trip to Greece and Italy, she made the most of every minute with her grandkids and kids. Cambrie once said “Nannie is like the gusher candy, you squeeze her and all the love comes out”. Logan, Blake, Shelby and Cambrie were the greatest joys of her life and she never left them without saying “I love you baby”.

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Ginger enjoyed planting her flowers, reading her books, traveling, playing her piano, her bible study groups, playing games with friends, and shopping. She also loved showing up and loving her people well, which could sometimes look like letting you borrow her car, snuggling in the fluffy chair with Shelby, changing her plans if you needed her, giving you her last piece of cheesecake (really only to Blake) and even being at your house the day after Thanksgiving to get it decorated for Christmas. It was her favorite season of the year and she loved making and passing out butterhorns to all her friends and family.

Gin had a gift for loving her people in such a way that every facet of their life is touched by how she loved us. We are overjoyed that she is healed and whole with Jesus but we grieve her absence here. Those left behind are her husband, Paul H. “Buddy” Barnard; sons Paul  Barnard (Allison) , and Justin Barnard (Tracie) ; grandchildren, Logan Barnard (Courtney), Blake Barnard (Maddie), Shelby Barnard, and Cambrie Barnard; her parents, Lavell and Elizabeth Chalk; sister, Janie Clark (Earl) ; and brothers, Walt Chalk (Cathy) , William Chalk (Lezlie), and Woody Chalk (Tess); and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Accent Care Hospice, especially Rick, Jennifer, and Amber for the love shown to the family and especially their care for Gin during this time.

In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in her memory.