Love – Love for her family. A love that was patient and kind. Love for Jehovah, his people, and for his organization. That was Barbara.
Barbara was born on a hot summer day in Louisa County, Virginia, to the late Bernard A. Roland and the late Lucy G. Roland (Brice). After living with her paternal grandparents, at about the age of 3, Barbara and her family relocated to Harrisburg, PA.
At a young age Barbara developed an interest in the Bible. She and her brother James would attend Sunday School where her curiosity about God and creation started. Close to that time, her parents began to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and she asked if she could also have a copy of the book her parents studied from. That began her quest in seeking truthful answers to questions only the Bible could answer.
Barbara was educated through the Harrisburg, City school system. After high school Barbara worked for the Penn Harris Hotel, Leaders Nursing Home, Holy Spirit Hospital and Harrisburg Hospital. Now we see why she was always ready to lend a helping hand. Barbara enjoyed spending time with her family, (especially her Grand & Great Grandchildren). Please let us not forget shopping! On her way to the mall don’t let her spot a yard sale. Sanford would have to either stop and pull over or do a U-turn. She literally knew how to shop until you drop. She also enjoyed traveling (as long as it wasn’t on an airplane!). While she did not enjoy cooking, her ability in preparing meals was unmatched, especially in preparing fried chicken, baked ham, potato salad and yams. Barbara had a love for various types of music especially live bands. And that is how she met the love of her life her husband of 52 years, Sanford Moore III.
The love Barbara had for the Bible as a child never diminished. Jehovah saw to it that her appreciation for the Bible and its truths was realized when she started studying the Bible with her dear friend Joyce Myers and her cousin Margretta Jones. Studying the Bible moved her to dedicate her life and become baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her activities connected to the worship of Jehovah brought her the greatest joy. Those activities included: Special Metropolitan Witnessing, Cart Witnessing, and serving many decades in her most enjoyed career as a regular pioneer. Barbara fell asleep in death on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 with her husband and oldest daughter by her side.
Barbara leaves to cherish memories of her, her husband, Sanford Moore III; four children, Michele D. Roland, Kimberly L. Wilkerson (Terrence, Sr.), Sanford D. Moore and Atiya A. Otero (Jacob); seven grandsons, Ronnell McMillian - Roland & Steven Smith, Jr. both of California, Micah Moore of North Carolina, Nysan Moore, John McArthur, Jr., Romell McMillian and Terrence Wilkerson, Jr., all of Harrisburg, PA; four granddaughters, Ronaesha McMillian of Harrisburg, PA, Sha’Kara McArthur of Elkins Park, PA, Mandolin Otero and Makailyn Otero of Harrisburg, PA; three great grandchildren, Ra’ion Jackson, Andre Anderson Jr. and Jai’heem Lee, all of Harrisburg, PA; six siblings, James Bryce (Judy) of Harrisburg, PA, Bernard Roland II (Rita) of Maryland, Deborah Roland, Ronald Roland, Sr. (Jeri) of Harrisburg, PA, Donald Roland of Delaware, Joyce Ashe (Mark) of Maryland and she leaves behind a host of family and friends whom she loved dearly.
Her services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 4331 Rodkey Road, Harrisburg with visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.