Sister Barbara Joe Gaddis Barkley was born January 26, 1944, to the late Patrick and Marie Key Gaddis in Leeds, Alabama. She entered into eternal rest at the age of 69, early Monday morning, January 20, 2014, at her house with her loving children and sister at her side. Barbara attended R. R. Russell, graduating with the class of 1961. She married the late Simon W. Barkley on May 12, 1967. To this union, there were five children. The following two preceded her in death: Richard and Barbara Barkley. Barbara was a retired house keeper and baby sitter. She helped to raise the children of Mr. & Mrs. Dennis (Brenda) Russell. Barbara was a member of Greater Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Leeds, Alabama. She was a faithful member and servant of the Lord. Barbara leaves to mourn: daughter, Madeline (Gerald) Lockhart; sons, Raymond Barkley & Carl Barkley, all of Leeds, Alabama; a sister, Wanda D. Thomas, of Leeds, Alabama; two brothers, Donald Gaddis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and James Gaddis of Seattle, Washington; grandchildren, Patrick Lockhart and Connor Barkley both of Leeds, Alabama; and Triana Archie of Birmingham, Alabama; nine bonus children, Mark E. (Ann) Barkley, Huntsville, Alabama; Paul E. (Maxine) Barkley, Sylmar, California; Frank H. Barkley, Van Nuys, California; Willie L. Barkley, Stanford, Connecticut; Louise Fuller, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Johnnie Vines, Stanford, Connecticut; Essie Brooks, Birmingham, Alabama; Constance Barkley, Raleigh, North Carolina; Dorothy Riettie-Benz, Long Beach, California; twenty - eight bonus grandchildren; fifty - two bonus great grandchildren; nine bonus great - great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Special thanks to Dr. Kevin Windsor and his staff at Alabama Oncology Association. Visitation will be held at Aubrey Bushelon Funeral Services from 1 - 8 PM on Friday, January 24, 2014. Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 25, 2014 at Greater Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with burial in Moton Hill Cemetery.

Published in The Birmingham News from Jan. 23 to Jan. 24, 2014