Barbara Jean Daniels

Barbara Jean (Payton) (Howard) Daniels was born on October 7, 1939, in Sturgis, KY, Union County to Samuel Payton, coal miner and preacher from Providence, KY, and Ruth Bessie (Horton) Payton from Blythsville, AR.

Barbara accepted Christ at an early age at Providence C.O.G.I.C. in Providence, KY where Pastor James C. Horton (Ruth Payton’s father was the pastor). Barbara also attended Rosenwald Negro School for her early years of education.

Barbara traveled to Ft. Wayne, IN between 1950-1955 and attended Central High School and graduated in 1957. She married James D. Howard in 1959 and together they raised three wonderful children, Greg D. Howard, Latosha M. (Howard) Rowley, and Dylan R. Howard.

Barbara attended IPFW and took several psychology classes in preparation for her employment assignments.

Barbara worked for (GE) General Electric, Fort Wayne Community Schools, Jefferson Middle School and (CANI) Community Action of Northeast Indiana, St. Peters’ HeadStart Family Services Assistance. Barbara’s work and service had a significant impact on many generations.

Barbara walked by faith as she provided Christian examples for her family members to follow. She faithfully served at Progressive Baptist Church, (Fort Wayne, IN) and at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, (Indianapolis, IN) in the Women’s Auxiliary ministries. She loved attending church and fellowshipping with her church family. She loved “old school” church songs. She rarely missed church service; she only missed when she was sick or out of town.

Barbara remarried to Thadis Daniels and spent 10 years living in Chicago, IL.

Everyone who knew Barbara knew how much she loved shopping. She went to the mall almost every day with anyone who wanted to be gone all day long with her. She mostly went to the mall with her best friend, Lynnice and sometimes they were there from the opening to the closing mall time, having great fun as part of their lifelong friendship. Barbara loved clothes, shoes, and beautiful hats. She was sharp all the time, especially at church. She is known for being decked out in her fashionable church hats. She was always picture perfect with every hair in place.

Barbara’s favorite place to eat was…, you guessed it, MCL Cafeteria, whether she was in Fort Wayne or Indianapolis. Barbara spent hours eating, talking, and laughing at MCL with her sisters, best friend, or her children. When she was with her best friend, Lynnice, they sat in their favorite booth and were served by their favorite waitress. They sat there for hours in each other’s company until the waitress would come over to them, laughing and remind them by saying, “Girls, we will be closing in 15 minutes.” Another favorite eating place for Barbara was the Golden Corral where she would get fried catfish, spinach, greens, cabbage, and beans. Now, if you know Barbara, you know that her food had to be “piping hot”, so hot you couldn’t even eat the food until it cooled off. If her food wasn’t hot enough, then back to the kitchen her food went.

Everyone loved Barbara and enjoyed seeing her beautiful smile. Barbara, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ, departed this earthly life at the full age of 85 surrounded by her loving family, church members, and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Ruth Payton: and, her siblings, Samuel Payton, Jr., Tina Hutchinson, Marva Grady, Marianne Henderson, Carolyn Payton, and Donna Kay Payton.

Barbara leaves many family members to cherish her wonderful memories.

Her siblings: Phyllis Fowlkes, Patricia (Larry) Russell, Kathy (Steve) Hayden, Ludella Grinstead, Michael (Anita) Payton, and Danny Payton.

Her children: Greg (Paulette) Howard, Latosha (Richard) Rowley, and Dylan (Nicole) Howard.

Her grandchildren: Dionna Howard, Kamara, KJ (Adam) Tyler, Greg D. Howard, Jr., Cierra (DeShawn) Woods, Joseph Rowley, and Danielle Blanco

And finally, Barbara leaves a host of nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren, great nieces and great nephews, and great-great grandchildren.

The family of Barbara Jean Daniels wish to express our sincere appreciation for each of your prayers, calls, visits, tributes, and acts of love and kindness during our time of sorrow. Thank you for sharing this celebration with us. May God bless each one of you.

Humbly Submitted by the Family