Barbara Colbert Wilkes

BARBARA LEE COLBERT WILKES was born November 23, 1928 in Baltimore, Maryland. She received her formal education from the Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from St. Francis Academy, one of the oldest all girl academies, in 1946. Upon her graduation from the academy, she entered Morgan State College where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in 1950. She continued her educational studies at Coppin State College earning a Master of Arts degree in Special Education. Barbara's teaching career began in February 1957 and continued for thirty-four (34) and 1/2 years when she retired in 1993. During this time she taught in special education schools, at St. Francis Academy, as well as Lemmel Junior High and Frederick Douglass High Schools. She served as a demonstration teacher and cooperative teacher for Education Majors at Morgan State University. She was nominated and was selected to represent her field of Home Economics on the Mid-Atlantic States Evaluation Team. Barbara worked with at-risk students in the Baltimore City Public Schools Futures Program that provided assistance for potential drop outs from 1986 until her retirement. She also worked in the Super Saturday Program for gifted and talented youth in conjunction with the Office of Fine Arts of the Baltimore City Public Schools from 1989 to 1993. Her work as an advisor to the Future Homemakers of America and the Chefs Club at Douglass High School inspired many of her students to pursue careers in teaching and home economics. Barbara was a member of the American Home Economics Association where she became a Certified Home Economist and also held a membership in the Maryland State Teachers' Association and the Baltimore Teachers' Union. From 1987 to 1993, she received the Mayor's Community Service Award for her contribution of time and self to the Combined Charity Campaign and every Christmas she was the coordinator for Santa Claus Anonymous at Douglass High School. Barbara was an active member of the Saint Edward's Church family. Barbara's pleasant manner, positive outlook on life, and smile was infectious. She brought a wealth of knowledge, creative energy, commitment, tireless dedication to her field and any project she was associated with. Barbara demanded and accepted nothing less than excellence from all of her students. For many teaching was a profession... but for Barbara it was her passion!! Barbara embodied and was the personification of the saying "If You Can Read This Sign... Thank Your Teacher". She was, and will remain, well loved by her colleagues, classmates, students, friends, and family. Barbara is survived by: her mother, Alice Colbert; sisters, Jean Curtis and Pauline Gross; children, Patricia Clements, Howard Wilkes Jr., Barry Wilkes and Stacey Wilkes; grandchildren, Shantia and Elijah; and nieces and nephews.

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Barbara Colbert Wilkes

November 23, 1928 - November 21, 2005