Barbara Ann Spearman was born on December 14, 1938, in Cleveland, OH. She was the 6^th of nine children born to the late Alton and Mina Gray Walker.  Barbara attended Cleveland Public Schools and graduated from John Adams High School. Barbara continued her education and graduated from Kent State University for undergraduate studies and obtained two master’s degrees, one from Kent State University and one from John Carroll University.

Barbara accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of New Community Bible Fellowship until her health failed. She was a very talented individual. As a youth she played piano, was a cheerleader, a dancer and loved roller skating. During high school she was such a great piano player that she played for the youth choir at 2^nd Mt Olive Baptist Church.

Barbara married Alvin Spearman and to this union two beautiful children were born, Steven Alvin and Stephanee Ann.

Barbara affectionately known as Tochie to friends and family and Sweetheart to her grandchildren, was an active and adventurous woman. She was a lover of jazz music, loved tapdancing and even taught her grandchildren how to tap. She performed in her 60’s with her lifelong friend and sister in Christ, Laverne Terry, at Tri-C and at various senior facilities and did a special performance with her grandchildren at Cuyahoga Community College, Metro Campus.

Her love of music also propelled her to become a member of the John Adams Black Heritage Alumni Association which provided jazz entertainment and scholarships for honor graduates of John Adams High school.

Tochie enjoyed traveling, attending plays, tapdancing, bowling, walking, skiing, and exercising but her greatest love was golf. Always looking for the next adventure, one of the last things on her bucket list was tandem skydiving and she achieved that in her 70’s.

Being around Tochie was always filled with fun and adventure! Tochie’s travels took her around the world. Some of the places that she has visited included Hawaii, Paris, the Caribbean Islands, Egypt, Mexico, and Jordan, where she floated in the Dead Sea.

Besides her devotion to her family, Tochie was an avid member of her community. She developed a love for politics in her 50’s and became a councilwoman for the City of Highland Hills.  She was also a member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials and traveled annually to the southern part of the United States to meet with other local officials.

Tochie was an active member Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority Incorporated and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, International Professional Organization for Educators.

There are so many words to describe Tochie. She was a self-motivated entrepreneur and was also a trailblazer and trendsetter in her personal and professional life. She was the epitome of class and elegance from the clothes she wore, her elegant home and the car that she drove. She was an energetic and engaged person who LOVED LIFE!!

On December 30, 2024, Tochie received a call, for an offer that she couldn’t refuse. This offer came with a huge sign-on bonus, which included a crown filled with priceless jewels and a reunion with family and friends, including her cherished sisters, with whom she was extremely close to.  Her new home is a wonderful place where she will be singing praises and socializing. Laughter, fun and love are guaranteed while being in the eternal presence of the Lord.  Although we will miss her presence here on earth, rest assured that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alton and Mina Gray Walker, siblings Jeanette, Alfred, Raymond, Shirley, Delores, Leonard, and Darlene. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Steven Alvin (Valencia) and Stephanee Ann, one brother Terry (Jean); grandchildren Brittanee, Jordann, Alton, Laurynn, Nina, and Camrynn; eight great-grandchildren and host of family and friends who love and celebrate her life along with us.