Gloris Barber

Gloris Barber 97 died Wednesday April 19 in Valle Verde health care in Santa Barbara from complications of a fall a few weeks earlier. On Saturday April 15 Gloris woke from a deep sleep at her care home and stated she was going to provide her obituary. She died 4 days later. Her words were recorded, below how she spoke them with a bit of family history added.

I was born and raised in Whitewater, Kansas. My parents were Mary Hamilton 1902, Edmund Davis 1892. I was raised in Whitewater until I was 14. My two siblings were Elmina Davis and 1924 Lyle Davis 1930. There were several moves, I moved to Ontario, Pamona, Tabor and Nebraska. My family moved to Wichita Kansas where I graduated from High School east. I worked at Boeing (1944) as a draftsman of all things. Actually, I went to work for Boeing when I was 17 and I was almost 18 when they found out. They told me I would have to come back and apply later when of age. I decided to quit midterm and go to school to become a teacher. I worked at Western Union while going to school. I was a substitute. I graduated from the University of Wichita. Got married in 1951 to Bob Barber. My husband and I moved to Iowa, then to Madres Oregon. Taught school at Oregon. My first three children were born in Oregon: Leah Juniper, Eddy Barber, and Jana Barber. After several moves, we ended up in Santa Barbara California (1959). I had Geoffrey in Santa Barbara. I taught at La Patera grammar school for nearly 30 years. The children I taught, taught me more than I taught them. I always thought I had the most perfect family in the world. Because I had the most perfect family, I did not see any flaws in them.

Gloris gained two daughter-in-laws in Winnie Willis (Eddy) and Melody Hurst (Leah) and two grandchildren in Shannon (Eddy) and Trayvon Whitley (Jana). In addition, several beloved dogs and chickens (Geoffrey).

Mom was loving, caring and intelligent. Those who met her were impressed with her wit and wisdom. She showed women could do work classically done only by men. She was quietly powerful.

She will be missed daily by many.