Barbara Jean Larkins

Barbara Larkins passed away on December 21, 2025.

Barbara Jean Larkins 85, a beloved mother, family member, and friend passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 9:04am. She was surrounded by love and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Born February 21, 1940, in Barberton, Ohio. Barbara lived a life filled with kindness, strength, and care for others. She was known for her warm heart, her dedication to her family, and the way she always put others before herself. She was the oldest child of 3 siblings.

At the early age of 11, Barbara's mother transitioned to be with the lord, leaving her to fulfill major motherhood duties and responsibilities which were raising her 3 siblings, her Grandmother Mamie Bogan became very influential and instrumental in her early childhood, while assisting her to care for the day to day needs of her siblings while her father Hollis H Larkins Sr continued working to provide for the family. While doing so, she articulated her education in the Wadsworth school district.

At an early age she gave her life to Christ and was baptized at First Baptist Church of Wadsworth where her Grandparents the late Deacon Walter and Sister Nellie B. Larkins were both longtime standing members and extremely active within First Baptist Church of Wadsworth for many years.

Barbara was a loving mother who supported and encouraged her children in everything they did. Her love, guidance, and laughter will forever remain in their hearts. She had a special way of making people feel welcome and cared for, whether through her words, her actions, or simply her presence.

Barbara enjoyed listening to gospel, R&B, Jazz music. Skating, bowling, even riding a motorcycle with friends. She was very active as a Den Mother, both Cub scouts and Webelos. Volunteered with the (West Akron Football and Baseball League) she loved to raise money and selling raffle tickets was her passion. She would let it be known; she raised the most money. She belonged to The Red Hat Society and was also a daughter/member of the Elks Lodge where she was in good standing and a daughter for many years. Barbara loved traveling to different casinos; her favorite was the penny machine and the dog track. She loved playing cards on the weekends (Bid Whist) with her sister Christine, brothers Leroy & Hollis, Sister N Laws Elaine & Krista, and Brother N Law Ray Kimbrough. they would play Friday night to Sunday morning and would be talking plenty of smack, don't let her "Run a Boston" lights out!

She loved to cook pound cakes, fried collard greens, hot water-cornbread, pork chops, fried chicken, dumplings, fried green tomatoes, and homemade soup. She also had a passion for sewing she loved making her boys the "3 G's" their Easter outfits, and she would let you know she made their outfits.

She also worked 20 plus years at the home of Frederick Wilhelm Albrecht (founder of ACME Fresh Market), then later retired. After retiring she took part-time employment at Bath Manor Care Nursing Home where she worked in the dietary department. After leaving there she worked at different day care centers. Barbara had a passion for taking care of children, including the ASCA. Inc Foster Grandparent Program Barbara was a strong advocate for children. Often times they called her (Mother Larkins) she became very attached to the needs of these children and would buy gifts for them especially those who were less fortunate she just loved children, she then later retiring from Mount Calvary Baptist Church (Day Care/After Care) never to work again.

In the ladder years of her life she was very active on the Mother's Board at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church Akron Ohio where she served under the guidance and direction of Bishop Marc L Neal, she had a lot of influence on the Mother's Board she would get so upset on first Sunday's if the Mother's didn't wear their gloves when serving communion (Gloves Was A Must) She later joined MT Haven Missionary Baptist Church Akron Ohio under the guidance and leadership of Pastor Cash.

She is survived by her sons, Garland (Shelia) Larkins, of Atlanta Georgia, Garence Larkins, Gregory (Ronda) Larkins, of Atlanta Georgia; grandchildren, Chemika (De'Onte) Broadus, Telisha Crump of Los Angeles California, LaGlenda (Reneka) Fromby, Carmella Shnell Larkins of Atlanta, Georgia, Gregory Larkins of Atlanta Georgia, Chaz Larkins of Atlanta, Georgia; 11 great grandchildren; brother, Leroy E Larkins of Akron, Ohio and Hollis H. (Krista) Larkins of Jacksonville, Florida and host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and so many friends who will continue to honor her memory by carrying forward the values she taught them.

She is preceded in death and welcomed with open arms by parents, Hollis and Frances Larkins Sr, and sister, Christine Kimbrough and granddaughter, Crystal Dowdell.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Sommerville Funeral Services, 1695 Diagonal Rd. Akron, Oh 44320. Funeral service will immediately follow.