Milton Augustus Barber, III

Milton Augustus Barber, III, born August 26, 1936, in Charlotte, NC, died peacefully on January 20, 2026, in Chapel Hill, NC surrounded by his family. He was the son of the late Milton Augustus Barber, Jr. and the late Margaret Brown Barber. Milton graduated from Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, VA and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. A multi-sport athlete at VES, Milton played one year of football at the University of North Carolina and later was voted the top intramural athlete at UNC. He joined the Zeta Psi Fraternity and was a member of the Order of Gimghoul where he developed many friendships that would last his lifetime. While at UNC, he met the love of his life, Ruth Parham Watkins, and they were married on December 20, 1957.

 At UNC, Milton entered the United States Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class, a summer training program offering a path to become a Marine Officer culminating in a commission after college graduation and successful training completion. He entered his two-year commitment to the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant and finished his service as a First Lieutenant.

After working for JP Stevens Textile Corporation in Greensboro, NC for two years, Milton and Ruth moved to Durham, NC where they raised their four children. Milton embarked on a fifty-year career in the brokerage business focused on wealth management. He worked in both sales and management positions for Smith Barney, Alex Brown, and Morgan Keegan. Having never met a stranger, many of his clients became life-long friends. Milton also owned an interest in Old Hickory Motors car dealership in Durham.

Milton was an active member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and served on the boards of many local organizations, including First Union Bank. An avid and talented golfer, he enjoyed being a member of Hope Valley Country Club, Roaring Gap Club, the Cruds Golf Group and the United States Seniors Golf Association. Many friendships were developed and maintained through golf. Milton was very generous and enjoyed finding time to help people, offering guidance to young people entering the workforce, helping others during difficult personal times or simply being a sounding board. He was devoted to his family and was a proud husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother.

Predeceased by his wife Ruth by just seven days, Milton is survived by his four children, Margaret Barber Wood (Bill), Milton Augustus Barber IV (Lloyd), Andrew Jackson Watkins Barber (Katie) Sabat Parham Barber (Kim), ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother James Brown Barber (Caroline). 

A memorial service will be conducted on February 24th at 2:00 PM at St Stephen’s Church in Durham. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Glorious Life Home Care Services, 405 Glenview Lane, Durham, NC. 27703. AuthoraCare Collective, 914 Chapel Hill Rd, Burlington, NC 27215, St Stephens Episcopal Church, 82 Kimberly Drive, Durham, NC. 27707 or to the charity of your choice. 

The family wishes to thank Alice David of Glorious Life Home Care Services for the loving care Alice, and her team provided Ruth and Milton over the last few years of their lives. The family also thanks Hospice nurses, Stacey and Sherry with AuthoraCare Collective, Dr Lindsay Wilson of UNC Health, and Brandy Watson and Tracey Clayton of the Cedars of Chapel Hill and all staff in all departments who were patient and loved Ruth and Milton.

The family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Inc.