funeral program for Barbara Magw : simplebooklet.com

A Life Journey, A Love Journey... Barbara “Babs” Ann Greene Magwood was born February 22, 1942, Savannah, Georgia, the youngest of Willie Greene and Warren Greene, Sr.’s eight children. Shortly after birth, her mother unexpectedly transitioned and she was raised by Phyllis Holmes, her maternal grandmother, on Rothwell Street in the Brickyard Community. Warren, her father, lived only steps away at 36 Milliken Street and lovingly protected his youngest daughter. His house remains in family ownership where two of his other children come to Savannah and sit on the porch to enjoy their memories. Barbara attended Pearl Lee Smith Elementary School and was an outstanding student there. Her love for education increased as a student at Sophronia M. Tompkins High School under the watchful eye of Robert “Ship” Jones, her cousin. Her Tompkins High School - Class of 1960 – senior quote was “Success is the goal of all mankind.” Barbara was a member of St. Mark’s Baptist Church, and Conner’s Temple Baptist Church in Savannah where she was baptized and later married. She maintained active membership at Conner’s Temple until she joined St. Paul CME Church in Savannah. After high school graduation, Barbara attended Savannah State College and earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education. After graduation, she married Horace Magwood, Jr. of Savannah on July 1, 1967. Horace, a Savannah State College graduate, was a popular fraternity man on campus. After marriage, they moved to Tattnall County/Reidsville, Georgia where they taught in the public schools. In 1971, before their eldest son was born, they moved back to Savannah to a home on the 1200 block of East 32nd Street. Horace had the vision to seek a larger tract of land to build a larger house in a different part of Savannah. Barbara received information from a fellow teacher that a large tract of land on Old Coffee Bluff Drive was for sale on Savannah’s south side. Horace, Jr. met with Mrs. Johnson, the property owner, and made her an offer, and she accepted. With the support of Horace Magwood, Sr., they purchased an acre of heavily wooded land and proceeded to build their dream home. They contracted James Carthon of Carthon Realty, and he built their new home. They closed the house and moved on April 15, 1978, with two sons in tow. Although Horace Magwood, Sr. never saw the completed house, his mark was firmly imprinted there. Many fabulous family events were held there including their annual Christmas Eve party, birthday parties, crab boils, New Year’s Day football watch parties with a traditional menu, and the infamous party with the live band in the garage. They enjoyed 35 years of marriage with their sons – Horace, II, and Brian Landon. Throughout the 1970s-2000s, Barbara was devoted to her family, profession, church, sorority, and community. In 1975, she received her master’s degree from Savannah State/Armstrong State University. Her teaching career included Ramona Riley Elementary School, Bartow (now Otis Brock, III) Elementary School, Florence Street Elementary School, and White Bluff Elementary School. She earned many awards and accolades throughout her teaching career including “Teacher of the Year” and black history programming chairperson. She held numerous roles in St. Paul CME Church, Sixth Episcopal District, and the Connectional Church. Those roles included Director of Christian Education – St. Paul C.M.E.; Director of Christian Education for the Savannah/Fort Valley District; Director of Christian Education for Sixth Episcopal District (entire state of Georgia); Director Counselors for the Sixth Episcopal District Youth and Young Adult Leadership Training School on Paine College’s campus. She was trained by Mrs. Katherine Jasper who mentored her starting in 1985 until she retired in the early 1990s. She achieved the long-time goal of being initiated into the Savannah Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on April 20, 1991, with eight equally brilliant, fierce, and determined young women.

Page 3

The “Magnificent Nine” were a force to be reckoned with on the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. Barbara rose through the ranks on the protocol committee where she worked directly with the national officers to help prepare them for meetings and ritualistic programs. In the Savannah Alumnae Chapter, she was the long-time chair of the social action committee. Barbara worked closely with the Savannah Branch NAACP. When a person needed to spearhead the voter registration committee, Barbara led the team to work in the local high schools to register appropriately aged high school students to vote. All high school principals were on board to allow her team to work in their lunchrooms to meet, greet, talk to, and occasionally serve on lunch duty all while signing students to exercise their right to vote. Prior to, and after retirement, she served on several community boards inclusive of Curtis Cooper Primary Health, Inc., SONATA, and Savannah State University National Alumni Association. SONATA is a program which awards need-based scholarships to talented African American students for private music lessons with Savannah Symphony musicians. In addition to sitting on SONATA’s board/attending meetings, she read every word in the reports, asked questions about processes/procedures, and listened intently to answers. Additionally, she offered suggestions on improvements and solutions. When the yearly SONATA luncheon occurred, one could find her selling tickets, writing a check for a table, and giving the tickets away because she believed in the power of music in the hands of children. Barbara travelled to SSU football and basketball games throughout the country. Highlights included attending a football game at Boone Pickens Stadium at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma where Savannah State alumni were treated like royalty. Secondly, she attended the 2015 MEAC basketball tournament where the SSU women won the conference championship. She was also a member of the Wolverines, Quettes, and the Savannah Chapter – Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Barbara explored the world and trips included Paris, London, Johannesburg, Athens, Istanbul, Cairo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Kingston, Nassau, San Juan, Honolulu, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vagas, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York City, Boston, Orlando, Miami, and several other places. On many occasions she joined Dr. Joseph “Pete” Silver’s group – American Association of Blacks in Higher Education- on cultural trips abroad to study, learn, and experience different countries. Barbara was preceded in death by Horace Magwood, Jr., her husband (2002). She leaves to mourn her sons; Horace Magwood, III, Brian Landon Magwood, Sr.; daughters-in-law – Dr. Diann Demetria Bennett-Magwood, Jennifer Holly Davis Magwood; a grandson, Brian Landon Magwood, Jr.; three granddaughters, Faith Monique Magwood, Brooke Olivia Magwood, Lauren Christine Magwood; two sisters, Phyllis Greene Brabham and Harriet Greene; a brother, Warren Greene, Jr. (Patricia); three sisters-in-law, Kay Frances Calhoun-Fields (Miller, Sr.), Ruth Carolyn Wright (Tony, Sr.), and Altomease Magwood; nephews, Vincent Lovett, Steven Lovett, Demetrius Ingram, Charles Jackson (Donna), William Jackson, Joseph Jackson, Gregory Hilliard (Jeanette), Jeffery Hilliard (Patricia), Keith Greene (Charleen), Kenneth Greene, Gregory Greene, Mark Greene (Tonya), Derrick Green (Candace), Derrick Magwood, Sr. (Glenda), James Washington, III (Vernita), Kevin Calhoun (Felecia), Keith L. Magwood (Carol), Cedric C. Magwood (Michelle), Moses S. Calhoun, III, Tony Wright, Jr., Troy W. Wright, and Vincent Mydell (Deirdre); nieces, Gloria Page, Deborah Carter (William), Louise Cowan (Gilbert), Betty Lovett, Marsha Patterson (William), Shirley Lovett, Sandra Lovett (Vincent), Ethel Lovett, Zelene Tremble (Eugene), Connie Green, Rehette Smith, Jannifer Hayward, Belisha Smith, Julia Carter, Tammy Greene, Janice Gregory, Judy Murphy, Beverly Greene, Wendy McNeil (Andre), Karen Magwood, Janice Washington, Pamela D. Henry (Charles), Jennifer Washington, and Michelle Magwood; and many cousins, and loved ones. A Life of Service, A Love of Mankind

Page 4

The Order of Worship Choir Prelude Reverend Robert Lewis St. Paul CME Combined Choirs Processional The Liturguist Rev. Dr. Kenneth A. Jordan Pastor of St. Luke Independent Methodist Church. Metter, GA The Call to Worship Rev. Dr. Da’Henri R. Thurmond, Sr. Congregational Anthem ‘Great is thy Faithfulness’ The Invocation Rev. Dr. Andre Lloyd Presiding Elder Moultrie McRae Brunswick District The Old Testament Reading ~ Psalm 121 Rev Dr. Lindsey Napier Presiding Elder Macon Barnesville District The New Testament Reading ~John 14:1-7 Rev. Dr. Jane E. Thomas Presiding Elder Fort Valley Savannah District Expressions Mr. Gregory Hilliard ~ As A Beloved Aunt Dr. J’na Gilbert-Collins ~ As an Educational Mentor Mr. Richard Shinholster ~ As a Political Activist Mrs. Carolyn Price ~ As a Life Member/ Line Sister of Delta Sigma Theta Dr. Clementine Washington ~As a Savannah State Alum President of the Savannah State University Foundation Rev Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield ~As a CME Christian Educator General Secretary Department of Christian Education The Honorable Alderman Carol Hodges Bell City of Savannah, Aldermen at Large Selection St Paul Combined Choirs Acknowledgements Rev. Dr. Lavisha Williams Presiding Elder, North Columbus/LaGrange District Words of Comfort Bishop Thomas L. Brown Presiding Prelate Sixth Episcopal District Song of Preparation Sister Lori Jones-Lewis Eulogy Rev. Dr. Da’Henri R. Thurmond, Sr. Senior Pastor, St. Paul CME Church, Savannah, GA Recessional “Lead Me, Guide Me” ...And She Shall Rest Bonaventure Cemetery Greenwich Section 330 Bonaventure Road | Savannah, GA 31404

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

Page 10

Page 11

Page 12

Pallbearers Floral Attendants The Nephews Savannah Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Stewardess Ministry of St. Paul CME Church Acknowledgements “Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above the rubies…” We the family of Mrs. Barbara Greene Magwood take this opportunity to simply say “Thank You.” Your support during this time has been unmatched, your prayers have been profound, and your compassion we have felt in our hearts. Thank you to all of the caregivers and medical services providers over the years that had become a part of the family. Thank you to our community of friends, church members, sorority sisters, fraternity brothers, and clergy that have poured into us as we bid farewell to our Queen. The family of our beloved Matriarch lifts grateful hearts to God for the angels He placed along her path during her earthly journey, especially in her twilight season. We give thanks for the devoted and loving care given by Cynthia Spaulding, Mary Harrell, Stefanie Wright, and Linda Shields — true vessels of compassion and grace. With thankful hearts, we acknowledge The Social at Savannah, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Savannah Hospice, and CVS on Montgomery Cross Road for their kindness and faithful service in her time of need. We are profoundly grateful for the healing hands and caring hearts of Dr. Michael Hemphill, Dr. Lorraine McRae, Dr. Lillian Williams, Dr. Abby Abisogun, Dr. Keylon Glawson, Dr. Maya Kohler, and Dr. Wallette Widener, who tended to her with diligence and devotion. May the Lord bless each of you abundantly for the love, comfort, and mercy you so generously gave. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23 We ask the vast blessings of our Lord be upon all of you. The Family © Published for Aunt Barbara By: (912) 238-9646 ~ Mobile (912) 604-1986 email: trinitygraphicsinc@gmail.com 2520 Bonaventure Road Savannah, Ga 31404 (912) 234-7226

funeral program for Barbara Magw

Page 1

Page 2