State and local officials, community leaders and members of the Barry family gathered at First Presbyterian Church Tuesday to dedicate a section of Highway 39 as the Cheri M. Barry Memorial Highway.

Barry, Meridian’s first female mayor, served from 2009-2013 as the city’s leader, but she was known both before and after her time in office as a public servant.

Over the course of her career, Barry worked with the Lauderdale County welfare office helping abuse victims, worked with the Red Cross to facilitate restoration after Hurricane Katrina, served as the executive directer of the American Red Cross Key Chapter during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and helped her community in many different ways.

“She worked hard to make this a better community,” her husband, Rick Barry, said.

Barry died Dec. 24, 2023, after a battle with cancer.

Transportation Commissioner for the Central District Willie Simmons said Barry’s dedication and lifetime of contributions to her community have made a lasting impact. By dedicating a section of Highway 39 to her, he said, Barry’s legacy of public service will be preserved and future generations will have the opportunity to learn about her.

“When you look at what she did following 9/11, after Katrina, and all the other things she did in her life, it is deserved that there be a marker throughout America and other places so that individuals who travel past those markers … will be able to see the Cheri M. Barry Memorial Highway, that we all will learn and take a page from who she was,” he said.

Simmons said everyone can learn from Barry’s example of loving all people and helping those in need.

Rhett Payne, senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church, said Barry was a gifted person who could have pursued any career or avenue she wanted. Instead, he said, she chose to serve the people of Meridian.

“Many people might ask in the years to come, ‘who was Cheri M. Barry,’” he said. “We can all tell them the many things that she did not for herself and sacrificed her own family to take care of this community and to do everything she could for the city of Meridian.”

State Sen. Jeff Tate said he was grateful to Simmons, the Meridian City Council and Senate Transportation Chair Sen. Jenifer Branning for their efforts making the highway dedication possible. Barry was a true leader in the community and deserves to be recognized, he said.

Although she never worked closely with Barry, Branning said she knew her by reputation. Barry cared deeply about the people in her community, she said, and that passion was visible throughout her career as a diligent public servant.

“And there’s a difference between a public servant and a diligent public servant,” Branning said. “She was diligent, extremely diligent.”

Rick Barry said Cheri was more than his wife. She was his best friend and partner in life. Each time he passes the sign designating that portion of Highway 39, he said it reminds him of her and makes him proud of what she achieved.

“This will be a lasting tribute to her, and we appreciate it very much,” he said.