Barbara Jean (Hill) Washington

Barbara Jean (Hill) Washington was born on February 8, 1946, in Plumerville, Arkansas to Alf Hill and Artie Mae Harris (both of whom preceded her in death.) Surrounded by her loving family, she passed away on March 9, 2025, at the age of 79, at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.  

Barbara graduated from Westport High School in Kansas City, Missouri in 1965. She later earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1979. She built a distinguished career with the U. S. Air Force at Shepard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she served as a Civilian Technical Training Instructor, teaching Digital Switching Maintenance to basic and advanced Air Force personnel. In recognition of her dedication and expertise, she received the Civilian Instructor of the Quarter award for October-December 1983.   

Seeking to be close to her daughters, Barbara relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where she furthered her career as a Technical Writer and Course Developer for major telecommunications companies and the US Air Force. Later, she worked for the Federal Government as an Office Automation Specialist and a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist at the United States Department of Labor until her retirement in 2010.

As a member of New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Barbara shared her love for technology by teaching computer classes and participating in the Senior Saints Ministry. She had a passion for genealogy and spent years tracing and documenting her family history. She had a keen eye for interior design, often receiving praise for her decorating skills and being told she had missed her calling as a decorator. Affectionately known as "Mama", "Grandma" and "Gigi", she was not only a loving mother to her daughters but also a cherished bonus mom to their friends and extended family by embracing each one with the same generous love and nurturing spirit that defined her life.

Barbara was preceded in death by her brothers, James Hill, Alf Hill, and Marlon Rupert, as well as her son, Wesley Alton Washington.

Those left to cherish precious and lasting memories include her daughters, Chyvonne Myles (Rayford Roberson) of Dallas, Texas and Marla Shinault-Davis (Harold) of McKinney, Texas; her sister, Nelda Bohling (Bill) of Atlanta, Georgia; her brother, Terry Rupert (Diane) of Coolidge, Arizona; her granddaughters, Jasmine Myles (Xzavian Jackson) of Mesquite, Texas, Alexis Peel (Cory) of Mena, Arkansas, and Mariah Shinault-Lewis of Plano, Texas; her great-grandsons, Javion King Myles, Jashon Myles, Jamarion Davis, Jakeylon Davis, and Benton Peel; one great-granddaughter, Maliyah Shinault-Lewis; as well as a host of beloved relatives and dear friends.

Barbara Jean (Hill) Washington will be lovingly remembered for her kindness and intelligence. Her dedication to family will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. 

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