Barbara Jean

Fuqua

It is with heavy hearts and deep respect that we announce the passing of Barbara Jean (Smith) Fuqua, who departed this life on 10 June 2025 at the age of ninety-two. Born on 29 January 1933 in Toledo, Ohio, to the union of Naomi Elizabeth (Carnes) Smith and Joseph Kerry Smith.

Barb was preceded in death by her son, Terrance J. Galand; sisters, Wilma K. Smith and Allcine Anderson; brothers, Edward Malone and Melvin E Smith; granddaughter, Stacy Ham; grandson, Adarius Garland; stepdaughter, Lavera Allen. She was also preceded in death by husbands, Avery E. Fuqua, Virby Garland, and Jessie Jones.

Barb leaves to cherish her memory 1 brother – Robert Malone (Pamela), 4 children - Iris K Fuqua (Ronnie), Lorriann Jones, Elizabeth A Jones (Willis), Andrew K Fuqua Sr, 1 Aunt – Rowena Broyles (98yrs old),18 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 33 great-great grandchildren, 28 great-great-great grandchildren. Her lifelong friends Dorthy Arnolds, Jean Flowers and special daughters Lorraine Cannon, Teresa L Quinn, Tracy P Gordan and Lydia A Claiborne, Special niece – Romelle Blair

Barb confessed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of thirteen years old. She attended Spring Elementary School and was a proud graduate of Joseph W. Woodward High School in 1950. She joined Spring Street Baptist Church at the age of thirteen years old where she worked in the church as Secretary of Sunday School and sang in the choir until 1950. She moved her membership to Mount Zion Baptist in 1951. In 1959 she moved her membership to St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church where she began working as the Secretary & Assistant Church Clerk, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher. In 2010 she followed her children and moved her membership to Abundant Life Ministries. Her last and final membership move to Perfecting Church Toledo in 2017 under the watchful eye of Bishop Elect Marvin L Winans Sr. At the time of her passing she was the Treasurer of the Mother's Board of PCT.

Barb had a continually active work history working for small businesses as a secretary. She also worked for Mr. James Day Sr when he first started the Day Funeral Home. She worked at the Rossford Ordnance Depot, Joseph Supermarkets, and seventeen years at White Tower, ten of those years as a manager of the two restaurants in the downtown area. In 1996 she became a resident of the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA) and became involved with their Central Resident Council (CRC). Served eight½ years as President of CRC and at the same time held the office of President of the Richmar Resident Council where she resided. While working with the CRC she received a certificate for Completion of Computer Mastery Level I, volunteer of the year at LMHA's annual recognition dinner, honorable mention in the Outstanding Senior Volunteer Competition held by Medical Mutual of Ohio, took training courses in Commissioner Development Series 1 thru 5 and after submitting her resume was appointed in 2003 by Judge Jack Puffenberger to serve on the Board of Commissioners as the Resident Commissioner where she held the office of Vice Chair and also the Vice Chair of The West Ridge Corporation which is also of LMHA. In 2013 she was honored to have the Barbara Fuqua Scholarship Award named after her and sponsored by the Nel Rod Education Fund.

Barb loved trying out new recipes and was an avid bowler for her church and Post Office Leagues for over thirty-seven years. She loved watching the cowboys' movies (the old ones), Wheel of Fortune and playing cards with her daughter Iris, Ronnie, and now deceased brother Melvin.