Ann Hudson Barber entered into rest on March 24. She was 83 years old. She was born to the late Leo Hudson and the late Maude Gibson Hudson on Sept. 13, 1929, in Pottstown, Penn. Ann was married to the late William (Bill) Barber Jr. Both Ann and Bill were raised in Pottstown. They lived in York, Pennsylvania; Stanford, California; Washington, D.C. and on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Ann was living in Washington, D.C. at the time of her passing.
Mrs. Barber and her family lived in York during the turbulent years of the late 50s and early 60s. Bill and Ann were active in the community and in the pursuit of Civil Rights and equal opportunity for all. They established the Barber Real Estate Agency and also the Barber Insurance Agency at that time. They also were active members in the life of the Crispus Attucks Center, where Mr. Barber had been a member of the staff in the early 50s. With Ann’s assistance and support, he functioned as the executive director of the NAACP during the years around the historic March on Washington in 1963. Along with other leaders in the community, both black and white, Bill helped to organize the York delegation to that historic moment in the history of our nation.
Ann loved to travel all over the world with her family, and enjoyed visiting places such as Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, England, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Spain, the Panama Canal, Mexico, many Caribbean Islands and over 30 of the 50 states in the U.S. She will always be remembered as an engaging travel partner, a wonderful mother, and a kind, loving and caring person who was a friend to all.
Ann is survived by her adoring family: William Barber III and his wife Laura of Reston, Virginia; Dave Barber and his wife Michele of St. Thomas, V.I.; Scott Barber and his wife Judy of St. Thomas, V.I.
Her son, Richard Barber, whose wife Lori resides in Ireland, preceded Ann in death.
Also surviving are two brothers: Paul Hudson and William Dunn; and sister, Barbara Towson, all of Pottstown, Penn. Ann had seven grandchildren: Aisha Barber and her husband James Parlier, Aja Barber, Ayana Barber, John Barber, Jovani Barber Peter and her husband Greig Peter, Rich Barber Jr. and his wife Jeanette, and Ryan Barber; as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends too numerous to mention.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Ann Barber at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, at Bethel AME Church in Pottstown, Penn. Ann will rest in peace next to her late husband, William Barber Jr., in Pughtown, Penn.
Please view the online memorial at http://www.valleyoflife.com/annbarber/. At this memorial Web site, people can sign the guest book and also share special memories.
