Barbara was born September 30, 1929, in Harrisburg. Illinois., to John Oscar and Halline Hudgins, oldest child and only daughter. She grew up in the southern Illinois coal mining and farming community until the family moved 40 miles away to Carbondale.
She attended Southern Illinois University, the first in her family to go to college and, in 1951, earned a Bachelor of Science as one of the first graduates of its dietetic program. Going onto an internship at the University of Chicago clinics, Barbara earned her professional degree as a Registered/Licensed Dietitian (LDRD).
Also in Chicago, Barbara met John B. Wolf, a student at Meadville Seminary; they married in 1952 and moved to Racine, I, where their son John David was born in 1954. They moved to
Meadville, Pa., where their daughter Catherine Elizabeth was born in 1956.
The Wolf family came to Tulsa in 1960, when John began his long service to All Souls Unitarian Church. Barbara was not to be the "traditional minister's wife," instead she was a greeter every Sunday morning, "made sure I knew everybody's name," and welcomed many church groups into her home.
She also ran carpools for scouts, tutoring, horseback and art lessons for her children as well as volunteering at Gilcrease and Philbrook museums, being active in Tulsa Garden Club and Maple Ridge Garden Club and creating her own certified Oklahoma Wildscape Garden.
In 1970, Barbara resumed her career as dietitian, working part-time at Springer Clinic and as a consultant for University Village, Franciscan Villa, Home of Hope, and Country View drug & alcohol treatment.
A member of All Souls since 1960, Barbara came to be called "the continuity of the church" as she served 50+ years as a resource for the Life Decisions, Care Team, Sunshine and Garden committees, with the church garden as her main project, directing planting of memorial trees.
She is survived by her children David (wife Anita) and Cathy Wolf; grandson Aaron Michael Wolf Johnson, his dad Aubrey Johnson(wife Kristina) and great-granddaughter Willow Rose, Rowan Sage Wolf Johnson, Dr. John O. Hudgins of
Murphysboro, Ill., and Nephews Matthew Gauger ( His wife, Lori) of
Sacramento, Calif., and Dr. Joe Hudgins (Lani and there children )of Murphysboro, III.
As well as Jim(and family)Molly. Sam and his family
She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years; brother Rowan; and niece Johna Gauger.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the garden of your choice.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Barbara, please visit our Tree Store or plant a tree.