Mrs. Barbara Gay Whaley Irvin was born to Sallie Mae Anthony Whaley (1903-1961) of Ahoskie, NC, and Willis Hudson (1896-1965) of Halifax, NC, on August 28, 1943, in Philadelphia, PA. Barbara was the youngest of her mother's nine children. After battling multiple sclerosis for over 25 years, Barbara peacefully passed this life on May 27, 2023, in Philadelphia, PA.
Affectionately known as "Bobbie," Barbara attended schools in the Philadelphia public school system, where she met Roger Irvin in the 4th grade in 1952. They both graduated from Murrell Dobbins Vocational High School in 1961. Barbara was an accomplished clerk typist, retiring with the US Census Bureau in 1992.
Barbara and Roger married on January 30, 1965, at Second Pilgrim Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. Their union gave birth to two daughters, Vanessa and Vernita, whom they raised in Camden, NJ. At the time of Barbara's death, the couple had celebrated 58 years of marriage.
Barbara was known as "Mom," "MomMom," and "Aunt Bobbie" by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Always a faithful woman, she was a member of the Temple of Divine Love Church for several years. Barbara was very thoughtful and generous, always remembering everyone's birthday and sending cards and phone calls for family members' and friends' birthdays and special occasions.
Mrs. Barbara G. Irvin is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Roger; her daughters, Vanessa and Vernita; her grandchildren Jasmine (Keniel, Sr), Amrita, and Julia; her great-grandchildren, Keniel, Jr, and Amoya; her brother, William Earl Whaley (Theresa), her brother-in-law, Roland Irvin (Deborah), and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.
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