~ Moments of Reflection ~

A native Alabamian, Barbara Jean Golden was born in Gosport, Alabama to the parents of Luviger Denson & Lillie Bell Malone on November 23rd, 1943. She departed this life on May 3rd, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luviger Denson (father), Lillie Bell Malone Davis (mother) & Alonzo James Davis, Sr. (stepfather), as well as her brothers & sister, Earnest Lee Denson, John E. (Ann) Denson, Benjamin (Myrtle) Davis, Alonzo James Davis, Willie Pat Davis, Harold Davis, Larry Davis, and Glenda Davis Anderson.

Barbara was a member of Mackey Branch Baptist Church in Gosport, Alabama at an early age and later transferred her membership to St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Morven, Georgia. As a member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, she was instrumental in leading Bible Study, Sunday School, and served as Treasurer.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Dr. Gerald C. Golden, Sr., her children, Keith E. (Lorie) Golden, Tonya M. Golden & Gerald C. (Gwendolyn) Golden, Jr. along with her 3 grandchildren: Leah Walton, Gerald C. Golden III & Graylen W. Golden and her brothers and sisters: Kenneth (Cynthia) Davis, Darrell (Vanessa) Davis, Cheryl (Larry) Hawthorne – Johnson, Catherine Annette (Darrell) Brown and Meshia (Kenneth) Redd, Leslie Davis and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Barbara attended Tuskegee University and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Daniel Payne College. At Tuskegee University, she met her future husband Dr. Gerald C. Golden, Sr., and they were married in Mobile, Alabama in July of 1965. After they married, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she had 3 children, Keith, Tonya & Gerald (Carlos) Jr.

Barbara began her teaching career as an elementary school teacher at a Catholic School in River Rouge, Michigan. After being recognized for her teaching methods by school administration, she began teaching at Ann Visger Elementary School, in River Rouge, Michigan. She spent the next 33 years, both as a teacher and assistant principal. During that time, she obtained both a Master’s & Specialist Degree in Education from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1999. As a teacher, she encouraged her students to live by a motto of “conceive it in your head, believe it in your heart and achieve it by developing a plan to move forward”.

Barbara retired from the River Rouge School System and relocated to Morven, Georgia in 2000. After retirement, she was an active member of the Brooks County Community. She voluntarily tutored students in the Brooks County School system and spent time serving as a member of Brooks County Family Connections, Georgia Trust of Historic Preservation, Kiwanis Club and Rotary Clubs. She was very instrumental in restoring the Barney Colored Elementary School in Barney, Georgia. When she was not volunteering or serving as a member of a community organization, she enjoyed quilting, crocheting, & knitting as well as an avid gardener, cook, baker, and enjoyed canning and wine maker.

Home going services will be Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 2PM at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Daniel Lawton, officiating. Burial will follow in New Macedonia Church Cemetery in Morven, GA. Visit this website to view a livestream of the service on Wednesday.

Continue to keep the Golden family in your prayers.