FEBRUARY 3, 1942 - JULY 14, 2020
FROM EARTH TO ETERNITY
BARBARA W.Ash F E B R U A R Y
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Viewing LYING IN REPOSE Monday, July 20, 2020 6:00pm-8:00pm
Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034
May the Work that I’ve done Speak for Me … And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. –Revelation 14:13
Obsequies CELEBRATION OF LIFE Tuesday, July 21, 2020 11:00AM
Minister Economy Jackson, Officiant Rev. D’Andre Ash, M.A., Eulogist
Internment Hillandale Memorial Gardens 6201 Hillandale Drive, Lithonia, GA 30058 FINAL ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO
FROM EARTH TO ETERNITY
CELEBRATION OF Life T U E S D A Y ,
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Program Minister Economy Jackson, Officiant Musical Prelude Occasion Prayer of Comfort Scripture Readings Old Testament: Kimberly Madison (Psalm 121) New Testament: Kristina Jordan (Romans 10:1-13) Musical Selection Minister Sherlene Pue (There’s a Leak In This Old Building) Lifetime Reflections Thelma Malone Lena McCranny Edward Ash Jr. Calvin Newsome Jr. Vivian Johnson Reading of Obituary (Silently) Eulogy Rev. D’Andre Ash, M.A. Snow Hill - Iotla U.M.C. Recessional Musical Postlude
Acknowledgements The family of Barbara Ash would like to thank each of you for every act of kindness shown to us during this difficult time. May God bless each of you.
Pallbearers GRANDSONS Calvin Newsome, Jr. Alonzo Bryant, Jr. Jerrod Newsome Jebraun Newsome Deunte’ D. Jones Torian Madison Jovaughan Jordan
Flower Ladies GRANDDAUGHTERS Kimberly Madison Kristina Jordan Candace Ash Danielle Ash Katrina Ash Karrissa Ash Kaylen Bryant
Special Thanks Keaton Wells-Trombonist Joe Pope-Drummer Rodney Hawley-Organist
Family Life Born to the late Willie Lee and Winnie White, Barbara Ann White entered this world on February 3, 1942. She was the oldest of eight children and raised in the Summer Hill community of Atlanta, Georgia. Barbara and her siblings spent a lot of time with their maternal grandmother, whom they affectionally called “Lil’ Mama.” At a very early age, Barbara learned to read and would read the newspaper to her dad. She attended David T. Howard High School in Atlanta, Georgia and reading became one of her favorite past times. In 1958, while working at Georgia Baptist Hospital, she met who would become the love of her life, Mr. Edward Ash, Sr. As fate would have it, the two married and began building a life and family together. Growing up, Barbara always wanted to have a large family. To their union were born nine children and every child was her favorite. The family moved to Donna Place in Decatur, Georgia where they would raise their children. She was known as the neighborhood mother and reading teacher to the children in that community. As her children grew up, Barbara served as leader of the local PTA (Parent Teacher Association) at Leslie J. Steele Elementary School. She valued education and it was of utmost importance that each of their children would finish high school. With her guidance and direction, they each did just that. Edward and Barbara were blessed with 15 Grandchildren and 12 Great-Grandchildren, each of them her favorite baby.
Educational Life A fervent believer in every human's potential, Barbara set in motion high standards for her family. She held a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Education from National-Louis University and a Master of Arts in Education (MS) focusing on Special Education from West Georgia College. While attending college, she was selected and inducted into Pi Lambda Theta, an international honor society for educators. This society has the most stringent grade point average requirements for membership. As a result of Barbara’s vibrant passion for education, the Ash Academy was birthed initially as a Summer Enrichment Program and ultimately became a charter school. Barbara received many additional certifications and accolades throughout her career with an emphasis on Behavior Disorders, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health Services. Her passion in the community included a lifetime member of the National PTA, a court appointed legal advocate for foster children, and an active member of Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneurial Academy. Her personal passion included researching her family's genealogy. Barbara often said "the beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you".
Ministry Life Barbara grew up with her family at the Greater Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church. In the 1970s, Barbara and Edward accepted Christ as their personal Savior. It was then that Barbara gave her life to the Lord as a member of Little Move of God Church in Atlanta, GA. The family soon thereafter united with the Valley View Church of God in Christ in Atlanta, GA, under the leadership of the late Bishop John Cooper. There she fostered a sincere passion for the word of God. While at Valley View, she grew in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and developed a passion for Christian Education. She became a Sunday School teacher, Purity Lady, worked with the Prayer and Bible Band, and was leader of the Young People Willing Workers (YPWW). It was also at Valley View that Barbara acknowledged the call to the ministry and was officially licensed as a Missionary. In 1990, Barbara and Edward were founding members of the Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ with their son Pastor Richard B. Ash, which later evolved into Extraordinary Church, with Pastors D’Andre and Denard Ash. There she would become ordained as an Elder. While remaining very active in the local church, she endeavored to share her faith with others beyond the four walls. This is what she referred to as having a strong witness. As a result of her steadfast example, many individuals dedicated their lives to God.
Civic Life Barbara believed in building strong communities. As a firm believer in helping one’s fellow man, she spent many years distributing food to families in need with the Partnership for Community Action, Inc (Rockdale, County); coordinated a Toys for Tots Community giveaway during the Holiday season to benefit children in need; and worked as a volunteer with the Barack Obama Campaign in 2008 and Hillary Clinton Campaign in 2016. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. –Revelation 14:13 Barbara was preceded in death by her loving daughter, Christy Ash; parents, Willie Lee White, Sr. and Winnie C. White; siblings, Rosetta Jones, Sandra Strange, Willie Lee White, Jr., Brenda Blossomgame, Ronald Leon White and Bernard White. She leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted husband, Edward Ash, Sr. eight children, Edward Ash, Jr. (Leisha), Erica Davis (Julius), Dana Ash, Richard Ash (Audrey), Lachandra Newsome (Calvin, Sr.), Timothy Ash, Sr. (Joy), D’Andre Ash (Sheree) and Denard Ash (Chawanis); sister, Vivian Johnson, 15 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Let the Work that I’ve done speak for me.
Sixty One Years OF UNDYING LOVE, LOYALTY AND MATRIMONY PLAIN TALK FROM A HUSBAND, FATHER AND A MAN OF FAITH It was love at first sight. A romantic love. A Godly love. God blessed us with 61 years. My wife was more than a woman. I called her MY woman, but she was God’s woman, God’s vessel. God just shared her with me. Out of 61 years, we had only one day of separation. She wrote me a goodbye letter, a dear John letter. My heart would not let her leave so I went to her mother’s house the next morning and got her and brought her home. It was the best decision that I ever made. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. She would go to church and I would stay home. The life that she lived is what brought me to salvation. It is the goodness of God that brings man to repentance. She was more than a mother. The sacrifices that she made showed that she loved our children. I am not a coffee drinker, but I brought her coffee each morning, while she was in bed and I will miss doing that. It made her happy, and a happy wife makes a happy home. A tradition in our home was for the family to pray together. A family that prays together, stays together. God honors prayer, and the prayers of the righteous availeth much. In closing, I’d like to say that I love Barbara and I believe she loved me and the family. God bless you all and may God bless my wife. That’s plain talk. Edward Ash, Sr.