Barry Shearer's Obituary
Barry Lee Shearer entered into his heavenly home early Saturday morning, April 5, 2025, after faithfully serving in pastoral ministry for over 40 years. A devoted servant, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Barry dedicated his life to the Lord, his family, and the church.
Barry was born in Jacobus, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1942, to Fred and Kathleen Shearer, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Dallastown High School in 1960, where he met the love of his life, Joyce. The high school sweethearts were married later that year, beginning a 64-year marriage marked by love, service to each other, and unwavering faith.
Together, they raised three daughters: Cathy (Van) Wade, Sandy (Greg) Mecimore, and Joy (Gary) Ferrell. Barry also leaves behind a legacy in his grandchildren: Nicholas (Emily) Mecimore, Greyson (Caroline) Wade, Jake (Ashley) Mecimore, and Ford Ferrell; and great-grandchildren: Sawyer, Micah, Theo, Cal, and Eli.
In the early years of their marriage, Barry graduated from Penn State University (a loyal Nittany Lion’s fan to the end) with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His first job was with American Chain and Cable in York, PA. After gaining a bit of experience Barry searched for other employment. He was sought out by Duff Norton, a Charlotte company, who flew Barry and Joyce to Charlotte in the Spring of ’65. They left a snowy Pennsylvania and arrived on a Carolina spring day; it was an easy decision to make the sunny south their home. After a few years at Duff Norton, Barry accepted a job at the Celanese Corporation in Charlotte, where he had many career successes, including designing a pulley system that was patented by the corporation. His engineering mind was constantly at work, always impressing his girls.
Barry’s life would take a powerful turn in 1969, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior during a revival service at Northside Baptist Church. Just one year later, Barry and Joyce answered God’s call to full-time ministry. Barry left his engineering career and enrolled at Tennessee Temple Bible College in Chattanooga, TN.
After graduating in 1973, Barry was invited by Dr. Jack Hudson to join the staff of Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte. Over the next four decades, Barry faithfully served in numerous roles at the church and school, including chef, geometry teacher, interim principal of Northside Christian Academy, designer for campus buildings, and eventually the church’s business administrator. One of his greatest joys in ministry was leading the Homemakers Sunday School class where he formed lifelong friendships.
Barry’s heart for missions grew deeply over the years. Alongside his longtime assistant, Nancy Randolph, he helped organize and lead the church’s annual Missions Conference and numerous mission trips. His testimony will continue to inspire generations and his impact on the Kingdom will never be forgotten. Only Heaven will reveal the fruits of his labors.
Even in retirement, Barry continued to work at the church, always pouring himself into others through mission work. He traveled internationally to encourage, support and train missionaries, and he served on the boards of multiple organizations such as P & B Ministries, NOW Ministries, and Reaching the Unreached. Later in his life, he had a heart specifically for the people of India, where he and Joyce support local pastors to unreached areas.
Barry loved his family and enjoyed any time they spent together. He cherished family vacations piling into one large house, game nights (with some surprisingly competitive spirit from the family patriarch), family dinners, and adventures across the United States and abroad.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 25th, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Northside Baptist Church, in Charlotte, NC. A Celebration of Life service will follow on Saturday, April 26th, at 10:00 at Northside Baptist Church, with burial to take place at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to:
BIMI
PO Box 9
Harrison, TN
37341
For Mark Logan India project account 620
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
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