Obituary for BARBARA J HARRIS-BARREN
Obituary
On November 15, 1937, Barbara Woods, was born to Jesse (Willie) and Florence Woods where she was raised in Garfield (Frog Town). Barbara was the oldest of 5 children (Beverly, Bonnie, Butchie and Billy). She attended the Pittsburgh Public School system. She later worked at McKelvey Day Care Center. On May 30, 1957, she united in marriage to Robert Augustus Harris. From their union, they raised 3 children (Michael, Albert, and Beverly). Robert and Barbara remained married until his death in October 1986. In May 2009, she united with Morris Barren and gained 4 stepchildren (David Sr., Shelly, Jennifer, and Roslyn). Morris and Barbara remained married until his death in June 2017.
On Sunday, September 6, 2020, Barbara was called home to be with the Lord. Barbara was a delight to be around with her jazzy personality. She was an excellent mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She was affectionally known as “Gram”, to many who knew her whether she was cheering for or against them on the softball field, sitting in the hair salon chatting with other clients, or flirting with the younger fellows she came across. But to her grandson, William Diamond, whom she raised, she was known as Yellow. She was also called “Trouble” in her local organization at Senior Citizen Center of Homewood, 7321 Frankstown Avenue, in Pittsburgh, PA. There she would knit, play bingo, travel and interact with people she called friends. Together the organization knitted a mural across the Roberto Clemente bridge. Barbara was also a member of Shiloh Community Baptist Church located at 6940 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. Barbara was a tough cookie but certainly a joy to be around. She leaves behind a rich legacy, as she will be missed, but never forgotten.
Barbara was preceded in death by her late husbands: Robert A. Harris & Morris Barren; her son: Jesse Albert Harris; her granddaughters: Malika Augustina Harris and Carolyn Jones and her brothers: William and Thomas Woods.
She leaves to mourn her children: Michael Jefferson and Beverly Harris. Sisters: Beverly Liptrot (Cincinnati, OH) Bonnie Prichett (Charlotte, NC), Joan Battles (Pittsburgh, PA). Sisters in law: Doris A. Conley (Atlanta, GA), Dr. Ruth L. Harris (Rochester, NY), Florence Harris ( Idlewild, Mi) Martha Zeigler, Beverly Stotts, Rachel Connors, Leah Moten and Priscilla Green all of Pittsburgh, PA. Brothers in law: Ernest A. Harris (Idlewild, Mi), Perkins L. Harris Sr. (Atlanta, GA), Lawrence Banks, David Barren, Daniel Barren all of Pittsburgh, PA. Grandchildren (5): William Diamond (Dawn), Angel Jefferson- Black, LaToya Jefferson, Michael Scott, Jesse Jones. Great Grandchildren: (16), Great-Great Grandchildren: (1). Other Survivors: A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.