Obituary: Sanders Barber Jr. / Doo-wop singer, founded Condors
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Sanders Barber Jr., a doo-wop singer who formed the group the Condors after graduating from high school, died last week from complications related to leukemia. He was 68.
Mr. Barber's sister, Susie Brown of McKeesport, said Mr. Brown had been ill for about a year.
Mr. Barber, of East Liberty, was born in Albany, Ga., but moved to McKeesport as a boy.
After graduating from McKeesport High School, he and six others formed the Condors, in which he performed as lead singer with Lonnie Brown. The band performed throughout the region, in places like the White Elephant in White Oak, Dave's Walnut Inn in McKeesport and the Elks Club in Donora.
When Mr. Barber wasn't singing, he worked for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, from which he retired about three years ago. Mr. Barber also was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ in Clairton.
In addition to his sister, Mr. Barber is survived by his wife, Lois Evon Baker Barber of Baltimore; sons Kevin Davis of McKeesport and Sanders Devon Barber of Atlantic City, N.J.; daughters Jackie Wright of Clairton and Nicole Barber of Las Vegas; and stepchildren Karilyn Reese and Marilyn Hopkins of Pittsburgh.
He also is survived by 11 other brothers and sisters: Eugene Barber of Greensburg; Ethel Martin of Duquesne; Robert Barber of Youngstown, Ohio; Gwendolyn Barber of Queens, N.Y.; Cecil Barber, Gloria Phelps, Sandra Young, Lawanna Cash-Barber, Essie Crowe and Jacqueline Elaine Carter, all of McKeesport; and Juanita Blair of West Mifflin.
Visitation will be today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Robert A. Waters Funeral Home, 2326 Jenny Lind St., McKeesport.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. tomorrow in the funeral home.
First Published August 29, 2006 12:00 am
