Shirley Ann

Barbour

Shirley Ann (McGee) Barbour, 85, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Toledo, OH. She was born on November 23, 1940, in Coahoma, Mississippi, to Ezra and Lula (Jude) McGee, one of eleven children.

Shirley was a faithful member of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, where she worshiped as a young mother and raised her family in the faith. In the early 1970s she married Pastor Reece Barbour, founder and pastor of Open Door Missionary Baptist Church; Shirley was a founding member and the mother of the church. Shirley stood beside Pastor Reece Barbour in ministry and in life for 42 years until his passing in 2014. Their home was filled with children, grandchildren, church family, and friends, and she met them all with the same warmth.

Shirley was a devoted mother who held a special place in her heart for her children and grandchildren. Her family will remember her strength, her faith, and her love, which reached well beyond her own household. In addition to being a loving homemaker, Shirley led a full life that included serving as a Sunday school teacher, president of the Missionary and Mother Boards, choir president, and 2nd Vice President of the Interdenominational of Minister's Wives and Widows. Shirley was also the president of the Minister's and Deacon's Wives of the Zion Baptist District Association, Inc for 14 years and president of the Ohio New Life District and Association for four years. Shirley retired from Libbey Glass after more than 30 years of service.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Pastor Reece Barbour, Shirley was preceded in death by her sisters Charlene Montgomery, Martha Pettaway, Loleta Crannon, Louise Mathis, and Gloria McGee; her brother, Rogers McGee; and her son, Minister James Brooks, Jr., who passed just weeks before her.

She leaves to cherish her memory her stepchildren, Larry Barbour, Reece Barbour, Jr. (Chavey), Stephen (Marie) Barbour, Eric Barbour, and Priscilla Davis; sisters Minnie McGee, Rosemary McGee Mims, and Patricia Neal (Matthew); brother Tyreese McGee; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and her Open Door Missionary Baptist Church Family, along with many other relatives and friends.

Rest now, Shirley, until we meet again.