Barbara Burrell

Barbara (née Carter) Burrell (born July 2, 1944) was the second child born into the family of Wade Lonaus and Magalene (née Wilson) Carter, Sr. Both parents preceded her in death. She had four siblings, listed in order of birth: Olivia Mae James, Wade Lonaus Carter, Jr. (deceased), Minister Cornella Carter-Taylor and Blane DeBori Carter. Roots that began in Baltimore, Maryland spread to many parts of the United States and abroad. As a member of a military family, she was blessed to have travels and awesome memories that traversed from Maryland, to Texas, to Kentucky, to California, to Panama and back to Baltimore. The education of this excellent student was completed at Baltimore’s Paul Lawrence Dunbar Senior High; Barbara was a good student whose strong desire to learn and read flourished in both military and public schools. In 1956, while living in Fort Ord, California, the family joined Victory Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Monterey, California. Under the inspiring pastorate of Bishop S. Rudolph Martin, Barbara accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Saviour. After returning to Maryland several years later the family eventually settled at Holy Trinity COGIC. Many will no doubt remember Barbara’s beautiful voice as she directed and led the young adult choir at Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ. In fact, Barbara was always singing and humming. She loved gospel and quartet music with a passion. Barbara was blessed to have two wonderful sons who were the joy of her life: Richard Derrick Carter, Sr. and Maurice Alonzo Carter. She was filled with pride and joy that both sons shared her love for biblical studies, serving in church, teaching, and her love for music. Anyone who knew Barbara will remember her beautiful smile that beamed with love when both young men decided to give back and make a difference by joining and retiring from the Baltimore City Police Department. Like their mother, both sons enjoyed their occupations, singing, ushering, and serving in many other capacities within their churches and communities. Always a hard worker, team player and one who enjoyed interacting with the public, Barbara was blessed to retire from Enoch Pratt Free Library and Saint Vincent’s Home and Asylum for Children. Barbara was overcome with joy when she purchased her home in Baltimore in 1972 to provide both a better neighborhood and scholastic opportunities for her sons. Her many talents including being an excellent seamstress who easily made suits for her sons and curtains for the home, a jack of all trades of home repair, and a talented decorator. She learned to take a little and stretch it into something fabulous. In 1974 Barbara married the late Earl Sylvester Burrell. Barbara’s change of residence from earth to glory leaves a giant loss on this side of Heaven: Mourning Barbara are her sons Richard Carter and Deacon Maurice (Minister Zenobia née Wilson) Carter; her grandchildren: Justin Michael Wallace, Richard D. Carter, Jr., Zakiyah Tashi Carter and Zenia Elise Carter; two sisters: Olivia Mae James (late Walter) and Minister Cornella Carter-Taylor; one brother: Blane DeBori Carter (Elaine née Lee); nieces: Cynthia Ann Spearman (née Carter), Dorothy Jackson, Kimberly Michelle Taylor and Teressa Carter; nephews: Adrian Perkins Motley, Tommie Burrell, Stephen Burrell, Edward Jackson, and Eric Arthur Carter; and one cousin who was always more like a sister: Gertrude Thompson. There are also many, many cousins, friends and special neighbors. Some, unfortunately, pass through life and no one remembers them. Barbara’s impact, memory and love will continue to flourish in our hearts and memories of her laugh, songs and passion for her family will always endure.

Tributes

Barbara Burrell

July 2, 1944 - January 13, 2019