On January 29, 1950 in Warrenton, Warren County, Georgia God blessed the union of the late Pierce Bell Jr. and Julia Mae Reese with the first of their six children.

Barbara received her primary and secondary education in the Bibb County Public School System where she graduated from Ballard Hudson Sr. High School in 1968. As a child, she enjoyed caring for her younger siblings, going to school and spending time with her parents. Barbara joined New Hope Baptist Church in Macon, Ga. where attendance was required every Sunday by her parents. After graduating from high school Barbara moved to Atlanta to reside with her Aunt and Uncle. Soon after moving to Atlanta she joined Antioch Baptist Church North where Rev. Cameron M. Alexander was pastor. On June 25, 1977 Barbara was united in holy matrimony to the late Paul Nathaniel Jackson, Sr. From this union Barbara and Paul were blessed with three children, Paul Nathaniel Jackson, Jr, Pierce Neon Jackson, and Patrice “Nikki” Jackson Porter and two bonus children Earl Knox and Tia Stevens. As members of Antioch Baptist Church North Paul and Barbara ensured that their children were grounded in Christian values. She served as a member of the January Birth Month Club and in Children's Sunday School classes establishing support for her small children to learn about the Lord. Throughout her career Barbara worked diligently in several capacities. Shortly after moving to Atlanta, she served for over 20+ years as an Administrative Assistant and Bank Teller for First National Bank of Atlanta and Wachovia. In 1991, Barbara worked as the Secretary for Soapstone Center for the Arts that later led into her leadership at the Conservatory of Dance and Fine Arts, where she became affectionately known as “Mrs. BJ.” Barbara began working as a Media Clerk for the Dekalb County School System in 1998 where she discovered her love for gifting children with books to read. Her passion to increase literacy led her to volunteer yearly for the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl. While working at Tilson Elementary School and Oakview Elementary School, Barbara formed many friendships that became Family. After attaining tenure, Barbara retired from the Dekalb County School System in 2013.

Barbara loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, shopping, talking on the phone with friends and loved ones, and teaching her granddaughters to “ABC: Always Be Cute.” Barbara had a keen sense of fashion that kept trendy and ageless. She always had a smile and never met a stranger; whenever leaving family she’d always leave with friendly tears in her eyes.

Barbara answered the call to enter into eternal rest on April 18, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents Pierce and Julia Bell, husband Paul Nathaniel Jackson, Sr, and brother Pierce Bell III. Although absent from the body, she leaves behind cherished memories of her blessed life to forever be stored in the hearts of her loved ones; her children Paul N. Jackson, Jr.(Crystal), Pierce N. Jackson (Amina), and Patrice “Nikki” Jackson Porter (Nathaniel); sisters Rev. Dr. Linda Hall (Albert), Sandra Latimer (Jerry); brother Raynard Bell (Rasheda); three sisters in-law Lillian Ayers, Doris Jackson , and Toni Bell; six grandchildren Paul ‘Tre’, Reagan, Jordan, Cameron, Taylor, Reese and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

GRAVESIDE SERVICES will be held Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Rest Haven Gardens of Memory, 2284 Candler Road, Decatur, GA with Rev. K. Alexander, Jr. Officiating. Services will be LIVE STREAMED on Facebook @ Davis Funeral Home, Louisville, GA