Barbara J. Deal, 80, ended her journey on March 3, 2018 at Villa St. Joseph Nursing Home. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Pitty Ratchford and Helen (Jones) on September 2, 1937. Both parents and her only sister Myrna preceded her in death. Barbara’s leaves wonderful memories to her brother Eugene.

Barbara Graduated from East Technical High School. She then moved to New York and worked for the NAACP Headquarters and while she was in New York, she did a little modeling. She lived there for a few years then returned to Cleveland to marry George.

Barbara and George married in 1962 and had 3 beautiful, loving children, Bryan, Eric (Veronica) and Sonji (Shawn). This year would make 56 years of marriage for Barbara and George. She enjoyed being a wife and a mother.

She worked many years at St. Timothy Catholic School as a Teacher’s Aide, she also drove the Mobile Unit for the school. She retired from St. Tim’s in 1994. After retirement, she and George traveled the world, seeing sights on every coast. They traveled alone and with friends. As long as they were together traveling, it did not matter where they went, near or far they were fine.

Barbara loved her family and loved the fact of being a grandmother. She did not want to be called the traditionally grandma, instead her grandkids called her “Babs”. She has 5 wonderful grandchildren, Tylah, Brandi, Shafon, De’Ja and Shawn Cornelius.

She leaves behind an amazing family that will continue to love her and love one another. She never liked to say “bye “, so, in the words of Babs” See you later alligator” we all say “after while crocodile”.

The memory of a good person is a blessing. Proverbs 10:7