Barbara Jean Price

Barbara Jean Price was born in Gary, Indiana, March 23, 1941 and transitioned on October 2, 2023. She was the oldest of seven children and helped care for her siblings. She attended night school where she received her diploma from Emerson High School and also worked cleaning chickens as one of her first jobs as a young adult. She was raised in a one-story three-bedroom home with indoor plumbing and an oil burning stove. Her father, Eugene Page, Sr. was very industrious and talented and worked at U.S. Steel Mill. As part of his talents, he was a butcher and did electrical work. Her mother Jimella was a homemaker who also sold Avon products and was an ardent poll worker.

Barbara married young to school friend Stephen Rouse who joined the Navy. They gave birth to Robyn Jean and Rosalyn Jan. Following their divorce, she married her school friend Roosevelt Price who had joined the military. He adopted Robyn and Rosalyn. While pursuing their dream of moving to California, the couple stopped in Denver, Colorado and decided to build their life in the Mile High City. A number of years later, Barbara gave birth to Roosevelt Jerome Price, II. She poured her heart into raising her children and kept them involved in activities and she often was a parent volunteer. Channeling her childhood, she had an affinity and passion for vegetable gardens. She had a green thumb and was always proud of her harvest. She always maintained a beautiful flower garden populated with roses.

Barbara was employed at Samsonite, Safeway, Denver Public Schools, and became a realtor and owned several properties in Denver with her husband Roosevelt. She then decided to follow her passion and began working with children. She received her associate degree in early childhood education from the Community College of Aurora and became a director of a daycare center before opening her own, which she ran for twenty years. Dozens of children were nurtured and shaped by her values of love, joy, compassion, and resilience and affectionately referred to her as Mother Barbara. After retiring from childcare, Barbara traveled the country as a caretaker for people in their final stage of life.

Barbara was very active in civic groups for the betterment of the community, particularly in the areas of public health and children and family welfare. She was involved in many organizations such as the Optimist Club and various church groups. She served on the mission board at several of her churches and volunteered with college and alumni groups as well as numerous health fairs and initiatives focused on serving the black community. Barbara was a Sunday school teacher, church counselor for women, and a chairperson of many committees. She received several awards and accolades for her dedication and steadfast work. Some of her esteemed recognition included President of the Optimist Club, Co-Chairwoman of Women’s Day at New Hope Baptist Church, and host committee member for one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s visits. He probably ate some of her famous cheesecake.

Barbara was a member of New Hope Baptist Church under Reverend MC Williams and Reverend Peterson, Good Shepherd under Reverend John Bowie, Potter’s House of Denver under Pastor Dr. Chris Hill, and at the time of her passing a member of The Balm of Gilead under Bishop Acen Phillips. The COVID-19 pandemic was a blessing in disguise for Barbara with the advent of virtual worship services. As her health declined, her faith increased, as she was able to fellowship and worship virtually for hours. She also enjoyed watching Family Feud, Let’s Make a Deal, and playing online poker for fun and watching it on television. She also enjoyed soap operas.

While reflecting on her legacy and meaning of life, her son Roosevelt shared that, “She was a teacher of children. She was a teacher of their mothers. Then she became a caretaker. She was a joyous and happy person who loved people. For 24 years, she lived in retirement and spent most of that time as a member of the beautiful Windsor Gardens community. My oldest sister Robyn helped her find that home. My mom was pretty tech-savvy and always made sure to include words of joy and happiness in all her passwords. She was a teacher of children, mothers, and money. She always had a smile and created friends wherever she went.” Although her health began to fail over the last 15 years of her life, God sustained her to overcome many sicknesses, illnesses, disease, disabilities, and pain. She always maintained her joy. Until her last dying day, she exercised and improved her diet. She continued to have dreams, goals, hopes, and plans. She lived a full life until the LORD called her home. Her son, Roosevelt was her constant aide for the last six years of her life assisted by his great niece, Ceaasia (CeCe) Newsom. His sister Rosalyn was a great support as their grocer and cook, did laundry, and provided a constant supply of flowers. Their little Chihuahua mix doggy, SheShe, kept her company when Roosevelt and CeCe were away. Other family members helped where able with errands, visitations, flowers, birthday surprises, and other treats.

Barbara was preceded in death by her father Eugene Page Sr., her mother Jimella Nunley, and siblings (Walter Alex Page and Ruth Jimella Page). Alive to cherish her memory are siblings Eugene E. Page, Jr., Sharon Kay Page, Sarah Page, and Melvin Ray Page as well as her son Roosevelt Jerome Price, II, her two daughters (Robyn Sims and Rosalyn Price Mays), two grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and her Godchildren Tonia Toney, Dawn Adams, and Tora Smith.

Barbara was a beloved member of her retirement community and will always be remembered as a woman of strong faith and with deep love for her family and loved ones.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 13 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Saturday October 14 at 10:00 a.m. followed by her funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Olinger Hampden Mortuary, located at 8600 E. Hampden Avenue, Denver, CO 80231. A repass will be held following service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for the Price family.