BARBARA W TAYLOR

Barbara Jean Walton Taylor was born in Chicago on February 5, 1930 to Julia Campbell, née
Walton and Charles Walton. The only girl, joining four brothers, began an extraordinary journey,
notably first marked as she was double promoted in grades while attending Burke Elementary
School in Chicago. Having played the piano professionally since the age of nine, she became a
member of the inimitable Captain Walter H. Dyett’s band at Chicago’s DuSable High School.
Seeing the promise in Barbara, Captain Dyett recommended her as one of few DuSable High
seniors to be awarded a four-year scholarship to attend Tennessee A and I State College (now
Tennessee State University) to become a founding member of the college’s marching/show
band in 1946.
While at Tennessee State, Barbara pledged the Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Inc. in 1947. Over the years, she became a member of Gamma Psi Omega Chapter in
Gary, Indiana, where she co-wrote the chapter’s official song. In 1990, Barbara became a Life
Member and in 2022, she was honored as a 75-year member of the sorority, a rare and
coveted accomplishment.
As an educator in the Gary Community School Corporation for forty years, she had earned a
Bachelor of Science in Education from Tennessee State and a Master in Education from
Indiana University at Bloomington.
While living in Gary, Barbara was a member of St. Timothy Community Church for almost fifty
years. As a member of the Senior Choir, she wrote a youth skit and a song, “The Lord’s
Blessings” sung by the Senior Choir and dedicated to the late Rev. Dr. Robert Lowery, in
celebration of his 40th pastoral anniversary.
Upon her return to Chicago in the autumn of her life, Barbara traveled to Greece, Turkey, and
Israel; renewed her membership with The Leaguers of the Chicago Urban League, serving as
President of the auxiliary group from 2011- 2013; and actively served at United Church of Hyde
Park, participating in many services as co-liturgist and steward of the church membership’s
Birthday Calendar until 2015.
Barbara Jean Walton Taylor transitioned from her 92-year-old life on Wednesday, October 19,
2022. Her family is comforted in believing that she was greeted by her father; mother; brothers,
Charles, Den’on, and the twins, Laurence and Lester; and her grand pup, whom she named,
Music. Missing her earthly presence, are her son, Jules Blake (Ava); her daughter, Lori Jean;
her grandson, Justin Blake; several nieces and nephews; and many long-standing friendships.
Her family has planned a memorial service for February 4, 2023 at St. Timothy Community
Church, 1600 West 25th Avenue, Gary, Indiana.

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