Barbara Ann Wardlow
02/15/1938 - 05/06/2020
A beautiful rose was brought into this world from the union of the late Deacon Alonzo and Deaconess Amanda Lee (Tinsey) Wolfe. This rose, Barbara Ann Wolfe, born February 15, 1938, in Terry, Mississippi, was the third of seven children. She inherited a rich legacy of Christian faith, strong family values, and was instrumental in the spiritual and educational leadership of others. She was preceded in death by both parents and her brothers, Bishop Bennett M. (Louvenia) and Vertis E. Wolfe.
Barbara began her education in Jackson Public Schools in Jackson, Mississippi. She attended Sally Reynolds Elementary School and Jim Hill High School where she played on the basketball team and became a cheerleader. Being a studious and high achieving individual, Barbara skipped the twelfth grade and matriculated from the eleventh grade into Tougaloo College where she majored in Physical Education and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree. She also attended Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, and Corcordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois to further advance her educational career.
In 1960, Barbara began her career in education which spanned for forty-two years. She taught elementary grades in Mississippi’s Simpson and Washington Counties. She moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1964, and became an educator for Chicago Public Schools. During her tenure there, she worked in the capacity of a Physical Education Teacher, Physical Education Department Chairperson, Playground Teacher, Adjustment Teacher, and an Elementary Assistant Principal.
Barbara accepted Christ at an early age while attending Third Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., in Jackson, Mississippi. She faithfully participated in the church’s choir, Holiness Young People’s Union, Standard Bearers, and Christian Women Willing Workers Number 2 Auxiliary.
She later became a member of Chicago’s Christ Temple Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, a member of the choir, the Deborah Class, and the United Christian Women’s Ministries Auxiliary.
Barbara was well-known and respected by many. She was actively involved in the community and her children’s schools. She served as Block Club Secretary, planned recreational trips, teas, and block club activities for people living in her neighborhood. She was also president of the Parent Teacher Association and served as a community member on the Local School Council.
Barbara travelled locally and abroad with friends and family. She visited Europe, the Caribbean, West Indies, Virgin Islands, Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Malta.
Barbara was beloved and well-cared-for by many during her illness which includes her: Home Healthcare Aides (Addus and Community Care), Certified Nursing Assistants, physician, nurses, social worker, chaplain, companion (Advocate Hospice), live-in caregiver, church members, friends, and relatives. Each person was instrumental and played an integral part in her well-being.
The love of Barbara’s life were her daughters, Verletta and Lynette, and grandsons Larry, III (Trae) and Courtney—the latter became her caregiver when her health began to fail.
Barbara leaves a legacy of love forever etched in the hearts of her beloved daughters: Verletta Thompson (Fayetteville, Georgia) and Lynette M. Myles (Matteson, Illinois); grandsons: Larry M. Thompson, III (Steger, Illinois) and Courtney A. Thompson (Matteson, Illinois); siblings: Cecil G. (Mable) Wolfe (Los Angeles, California), Lillie P. White (Decatur, Georgia), Brenda M. (Richard) Middleton (Jackson, Mississippi), and Alonzo Wolfe, Jr. (Jackson, Mississippi); and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.