Teamsters Local 727 Celebrates and Honors the Life of Zeberdee “Zeb” Barnes
Teamsters Local 727 sadly shares the news of the passing of longtime member and friend Zeberdee Barnes, affectionately known by Local 727 members as Zeb, on October 5th.
Zeb was born on June 17, 1937, to the late Thomas Barnes and Dinah Rials-Barnes in Magnolia, Mississippi and was the oldest son out of thirteen children. Zeb grew up in Mississippi and moved to Chicago in the early 1950s. After relocating to Chicago, Zeb held various temporary jobs until he reached legal driving age and started working as a valet hiker at a downtown parking garage. It was on this job that Zeb first joined Teamsters Local 727. He spent the rest of his career heavily involved with the Union and truly made a difference during his decades of membership. Early on, Zeb became a Business Agent with the Local and encouraged others to join and be a part of the movement. He worked his way up to Vice President of the Local and eventually became President. Zeb retired at the age of 79, but he continued to attend every Sunday membership meeting, and every Teamsters Convention and TNBC Conference that he could. Zeb was truly a DIE-HARD TEAMSTER.
As everyone at Local 727 knows, Zeb was a sharp dresser from head to toe and he had a wonderful smile that would brighten up anyone’s day. He will be missed by all of us.
Zeb was preceded in death by parents Thomas and Dinah Barnes, children Clarice Barnes, Zeberdee Barnes Jr. and Gwendolyn Ann Barnes, sisters Clara Simmons, Herley Gulledge, Mildred Burns and Lussettie Henderson, and brothers Ezell and Burnell Barnes. The following remain and cherish his memory: wife Gwen Barnes, children Argirtha Thiele (John), Andre Barnes (Alexandra), bonus children Donnell Walker Jr., Shonita Walker, and Steven Barnes, brothers McTerry Barnes (Laverne), Bobby Barnes (Maria) and Thomas Barnes (Sharon), sisters Hattie Brown, Delois Barnes, and Debra Wilcher (Raymond), sisters-in-law Wilberteen Jackson and Ruth Thomas, along with twelve grandchildren, four bonus grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends Floyd Hughes, Rev. Jesse Lee, Teamsters Local 727, Teamsters National Black Caucus, and the Antioch M.B. Church South family.
Services
Public Viewing:
October 23 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Calahan Funeral Home Landmark Chapel
7030 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60621
Visitation:
October 24 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Antioch Baptist Church South
6953 S. Stewart Ave
Chicago, IL 60621
Funeral Service:
October 24 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Antioch Baptist Church South
6953 S. Stewart Ave
Chicago, IL 60621
Zeb’s full obituary may be read by clicking here.
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or grievance(s), or as a waiver of any rights, arguments, or defenses under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or applicable law. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: Union News
