Ms. Barbara Yvonne (Singleton) Jones

Barbara Yvonne Singleton Jones, the second daughter of Mable Lee (Liggins) Singleton and Gordy Nolan Singleton, was born February 26, 1945 in Houston, Texas at Jefferson Davis Hospital. On November 21, 2023, Barbara went home to be with the Lord. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother (we called her “Granny”), a dear sister, aunt, cousin, and devoted educator. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

As a child, Barbara was a feisty tomboy who loved to compete. She maintained the love of competition throughout her life, but she always was willing to be a good friend. She loved to laugh and conversate with neighbors and persons she met about town. She was always interested in the lives of others, and she always had a strong belief in the power of faith and loved to worship the Lord. She was never known to smoke or drink. But she always had a great sense of humor, and love for the Singleton family and was a great friend to many.

Barbara grew up in a Christian environment and accepted Christ at an early age. Barbara spent her early years growing up in the Heights neighborhood of Houston, Texas, before moving to the Third Ward, where she was raised by her grandmother, Annie Liggins, alongside her sister, Carolyn, and brother, Ronald. She joined Wayman Chapel AME Church at 804 W. 20th in Houston, where she was baptized. Her grandmother was an associate pastor there. She was a member of several ministries in the church. She later joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church located at 2702 Rosalie in Houston and was a very active member.

Barbara attended Jack Yates High School, graduating in 1963. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas (UT-Austin) in 1967 then later completed her master’s at the University of Houston in 1972. She was a member of UT’s founding chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. At the University of Texas, Barbara met and married the love of her life, Robert R. Jones Jr., a physics major. He also obtained his masters and was a doctoral student in physics at UT and at the University of Kansas.After graduation, Barbara decided to become a schoolteacher.

Barbara embarked on a fulfilling career as an educator in the Houston Independent School District, teaching Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry at Sharpstown High School, Fonville Middle School, Sam Houston High School, and Jones High School. She dedicated her life to shaping young minds and Inspiring her students to excel academically, teaching school from 1972 until her retirement in 2002. Barbara’s passion for teaching extended beyond the classroom, as she tutored students in math at her home and worked as a tax consultant during her later years.

In her personal life, Barbara was a devoted mother and grandmother. She married Robert Roland Jones Jr. and settled at 2620 Prospect in Houston, right across the street from her childhood home and beloved grandmother Annie Liggins, where she raised her children, Robert R. Jones III and Regina R. Jones. She also played a significant role in raising her two grandchildren, Genae Miles and Elishah Pendleton, providing them with love, guidance, and support.

Barbara had a brilliant mind and was known for her expertise in math. She enjoyed solving puzzles, playing board games, cards, and dominoes, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Barbara had a thirst for knowledge and was always eager to gather information. She had a generous soul, opening her home to friends and family in need of temporary shelter. Barbara had a passion for playing cards with the family and board games with her children. She was very generous and often laughing, always making sure to greet her neighbors who lived on Prospect Street and engage them in lively conversation. She had a positive attitude that affected everyone she met.

Barbara has now joined her mother and father and loved ones in Glory. She was preceded in death by her father Gordy Nolan Singleton; her mother Mable Lee (Liggins) Singleton; her beloved Uncle Joe (Dr. Joseph D. Liggins); her former husband, Robert Roland Jones Jr.; step-mother, Willie Singleton; grandmother, Annie Liggins; grandfather, Frank William Liggins; and brother, Ronald Singleton. She leaves to cherish her memory: her son Robert R. Jones III (Syntyche) and daughter Regina R. Jones; two grandchildren: Genae Raquel Miles and Elishah Yvonne Ruth Pendleton; three great-grandchildren: Jacquelyn Miles, Richard Miles, and Craig Wells III; sisters and brothers: Gordy Singleton Jr. (Diane), Carolyn Battise (Michael), Caroline Howard (Marvin), Quincy Singleton (Betty), Diane Yarbrough (Danny), Felicia Moore (Adolphus), and Paul Poloe (Sandra); a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. She also had many loving friends and former coworkers that she cherished and spoke of constantly.

Her memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known her.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.

A memorial service for Barbara will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023 at1:00 p.m. at Carl Barnes Funeral Home, Inc, 746 W 22nd Street, Houston, TX 77008.