Mrs. Barbara Jewel Randolph, 83, of Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, 2015.
On March 14, 1932, Barbara was born in Forrest County, Miss., the precious daughter of Estelle Wilkes. Growing up she shared her childhood with a brother Vernon.
Willie Randolph married Barbara in Chicago during the summer of 1970. Together they shared more than 22 years of life’s adventures. Sadly he passed away Feb. 9, 1993.
Barbara worked in the John Hancock Building for Watson-Boaler Interior Decorators as a secretary for a number of years prior to retirement. An avid gardener, each spring Barbara planted flowers to enhance the landscape of her home. She is remembered as having the green thumb touch. An elegant lady with an eye for a bargain Barbara was a frequent visitor of Winamac’s “Good Samaritan Shop.” She could most often be seen there visiting on Saturday mornings. There was nothing better than finding a hidden treasure at a garage sale. The weekend brought on jaunts in the car to locate garage sales in progress.
As the matriarch, Grandma Barbara was proud to oversee four generations. Paramount in her life was her family. She was the care giver of the family, helping others all of the time. If it was time to make a big decision Grandma Barbara was counted on to share her vision and wisdom. She never sugar coated anything telling it like it is.
Left to cherish Barbara’s memory are her daughter: Linda Insley; a son, Darrell Hudson, both of Chicago; five grandchildren: Steven Jefferson, William Hudson and wife Shonda, Anthony Jackson and fiancee’ Melissa Brill, Angela Jackson, Michelle Chapman – Walker and husband Marion Walker; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding Barbara in death are her parents, husband and a brother: Vernon Wilkes.
A celebration of the life of Barbara Jewel Randolph will be at 1 p.m. EST on Saturday, July 11, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester, with Lennon Harris officiating. Friends may visit with her family two hours prior to the service in the funeral home. She will be laid to eternal rest next to her beloved husband Willie in the Leiters Ford Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Center for Hospice Care 112 South Center Street, Plymouth, IN.