Barbara Jean Hilburn

Reflections of Life

BARBARA JEAN HILBURN was born March 1, 1939 in Kilgore, Texas to the late Ernest H. Hilburn and Rosetta “Dear” Benson Hilburn. She attended elementary school and middle school with the Class of 1957 at (KCHS) Kilgore Colored High School.  She continued her education in New Jersey and California after moving to Bremerton, Washington to live with her dad.  While leaving in Newark, New Jersey she married Bernard Russ (2) children were born Kenneth and Yvonne. She later moved to Los Angeles, California, and married Proverb “Paul” Holmes, Jr. (1) child was born Victoria.

In 1975, she received Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and the gift of the Holy Spirit. She was devoted to ministry by serving as Greeter, Head of Bookstore, Missionary President, Teacher (taught classes about Christ), served as a member of the Daughters of Eve, Spiritual Counselor for young women, Prayer Warrior, and Intercessor, and served in the Choir. She was employed at AT&T for 30 years-New Jersey Bell, Pacific Telephone, and Southwestern Bell-began as an operator/clerk to later work steadily and was promoted into management. During her years in telecommunications, she volunteered with many various organizations.

She was known for hospitable spirit by sending birthday cards, baking her famous pound cakes, and just calling to say hello. She had a heart for God’s people and whenever you would visit her home it felt like Home!! Most of all, she was a woman of her word!!! In her spare time, she traveled to United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, Belize, Alaska, and other states across the country.

She departed this life on November 29, 2020 with peace and joy knowing that she would spend an eternity with her Savior Jesus Christ.  She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest H. Hilburn and Rosetta “Dear” Benson Hilburn, sister Julia Ann Hilburn Lee, son Kenneth Russ and daughter Yvonne Russ.

She leaves to cherish her memories to her loving daughter Victoria Holmes-Gordon (Kilgore, TX); (2) grandchildren, Anthony Kenneth (A.K.) Spoon (Fort Worth, TX) and Yvonne Si’mone Gordon (Kilgore, TX); one sister Peggie Smith-Parker (Los Angeles, Ca.); one niece Cynthia Smith Cox (Little Elm, TX); one nephew Bobbie Smith (Los Angeles, Ca.); play brother Billy Bennett (Los Angeles, Ca.); son-in-law Anthony L. Spoon (Fort Worth, TX); special nephew Sydney Smith (Los Angeles, Ca.); Class of 57’ and play daughters (3) Kathey Kirk (Fort Worth, TX), Roxie Williams (Kilgore, TX), and Karen Mitchem (Tyler, TX) and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.

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