Barbara Ann Wallace Matthews
Barbara Ann Wallace Mathews was born to James and Easter Wallace on April 13, 1951 in Albany, GA. Barbara Ann was the youngest of three girls. She and her sisters were very close. At the age of 3 months, the family relocated to Cleveland, OH where she grew up.
Barbara attended Cleveland Public Schools (now known as, Cleveland Metropolitan Schools). She graduated from East Tech High School in the top of her class. Barbara was always very focused, organized, and meticulous in all her endeavors. Upon graduation from East Tech, she received a scholarship to Central State University where she majored in Elementary Education, completing a 4-year program in 3 years.
After graduating from Central State University, she began her career in education with Cleveland Public Schools as a math teacher. Barbara enjoyed her job, especially challenging and directing her students. She taught a few years, then later attended Cleveland State University to earn a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on supervision and reading. Soon after, she pursued and accepted a leadership position at the school district as Executive Director of State & Federal Programs (Title 1, Title 2, Title 4, and Title 6).
After 30 years in the school district, she retired. Nine years later, she was approached regarding returning to the school district to be involved in its transformation. Barbara accepted the opportunity and returned in the position of Action Team Coach, mentoring and supervising Principals. She remained in this position 11 years until her health recently began to be a challenge. Barbara loved education and being able to share, direct, and support others whether it be principals, teachers, or children. Barbara was the epitome of a dedicated educator and always gave her all.
Barbara was a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta. She served as Treasurer and Co-chair of the Audit Committee as well as worked on many other committees.
Barbara accepted Christ at an early age and was a dedicated member of Second New Hope Baptist Church. She faithfully served in numerous capacities including Trustee, teacher, member of the choir, and past President of the Deaconess Ministry and she continued to be of service whenever and wherever she was needed in the church until her death.
In her spare time she enjoyed reading and working in her yard; planting and nurturing her flowers. She believed that every woman should have a flower garden or at least flowers in a flowerpot or two their yard. She was always willing to advise and help develop her friends and sisters’ gardens. When she was not working in her yard you could always find her with her family and/or supporting and advising her nieces, nephew and great nephew in their endeavors.
While Barbara didn’t have any children, she treated Ken and Kimberly, Machelle, Braylon and Neveah as her own and they loved her more than an aunt, she was like another mother. She provided advice, support and direction for her god-children whom she loved.
Barbara was a loving and devoted daughter, she spent much of her time after work visiting and helping to support and take care of her mother.
Barbara is survived by her mother, Easter Wallace; sisters, Emma Wren (Louis), and Janice Moultrie (Rubin); nephew, Kenneth Moultrie; nieces, Kimberly Moultrie & Machelle Moultrie, great-nephew, Braylon Moultrie; God-daughters, Tameka Williams-Nicholson, Kimberly Williams, and Aubre Young; God-son, Angelo Turner, and many friends and loved ones.
On October 28, 2021, Barbara finished her course here on earth and transitioned to her eternal home in hearen. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love of family and service to others. She was preceded in death by her father.
“absent from the body,to be present with the Lord.” 2Corinthians 5:8
