Having fought the good fight and keeping the faith, Wilma Ella Barbour beloved daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and servant finished her fight by entering into eternal rest on Monday evening, September 16, 2024, at the Schulman and Schachne Institute for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Brooklyn, New York.

Wilma, daughter of the late Alberta and Luendia Barbour, was born 29 October 1936 in Halifax County Virginia.  At an early age, Wilma gave her life to Christ and became a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church.  She also joined Brownsville Community Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York.  She was educated in the Halifax County Public Schools.  Wilma continued her education, and graduated from Apex College of Cosmetology in Richmond, Virginia, New York Community College in Brooklyn, New York, and Hunter College of Nursing.

Wilma joined the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge in 1977 with the rank of Specialist 4th Class.

Wilma worked for Bellevue Hospital in the Labor and Delivery Newborn Nursey Department, from which she retired after 22 years of service.

Wilma was an avid collector and loved watching Antique Roadshow.

Armed with her gift of grab, an infectious laugh, a twinkle in her eye, and a smile, Wilma was always ready to lend a helping hand, and be of service to those around her.  Wilma was a Sunday school teacher and choir member at Brownsville Community Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, and a member of Little Rock Baptist Church’s Soup Kitchen and Day Care Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The neighborhood fondly referred to Wilma as “Ms. B” and knew they could always find her looking out the front window. A neighborhood rapper even referred to Wilma in a verse of one of his rap songs.

In addition to her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by one brother, Jimmie Lee Barbour and a sister, Alice Wicks.

Those left behind to cherish her love, smile, quiet strength, and memory: three sisters, Betty Barksdale of Binghamton, New York, Thelma Smith of Stafford, Virginia, and Louise B Carr of Bowie, Maryland; one sister-in-law, Claudette Barbour of Florence, South Carolina.  Wilma also leaves to mourn her passing, several devoted friends and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.