Barbara White Mccloud

Barbara White McCloud, a faithful servant of the Lord, left this earthly world on November 21, 2022. She was born on October 5, 1940, in Hahira, Georgia to the late Dothan and Maude Mae White and was preceded in death by her husband Kelsey Vinvent Thomas McCloud, and siblings, Eddie White, Christopher Charles White, Donald White, Shirley Ann Baker, and Terry Eugene White.

Barbara was raised in Tampa, Florida, and educated in the Hillsborough County Public School System. Growing up in a changing world, her enjoyment came from the closeness of a large family and the joy it brought. She was raised with the fundamental values of putting family first, faith in God, and education. This nurturing environment was the foundation she had when she started her own family. She joined in matrimony to her high school sweetheart, Kelsey Vinvent Thomas McCloud, on September 23, 1957, with a union lasting for 62 years until his death. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend; enjoying life to the fullest.

When her husband’s profession took the family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was she who paved the way for a smooth transition and a new chapter in her life. Barbara thrived in her new neighborhood. Her goal was always to look for opportunities for the improvement of the neighborhood. This led her to become involved in local politics as well as local elections. Barbara served as a Poll Worker and later became an Election Judge. Having grown up during the Civil Rights Movement, she remained an activist in the empowerment of her community. She ensured summer programs that were funded by the city were being made available in all neighborhoods. She was also active in her children’s education. As a member of the local Parent & Teachers Association, she would speak to the student body about the Civil Rights Movement and her experiences, along with how attending Martin Luther King Jr’s funeral impacted her outlook on the future of the Black community.

Faith was always instrumental in her life. As a young child, she attended St Luke AME Church in Tampa, Florida. Once in Philadelphia, she became an active member of Concord Baptist Church where she served as an usher and sang in the choir. As she grew in the Lord, she became a member of the True Mission Pentecostal Church and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her love of the Lord and her enjoyment of talking about the Lord led her into ministering. She always said the Bible was her favorite book. Wherever she went, she would spread the word of God. Her Pastor at True Mission told her she was “being called and used by God”. Barbara gave her first official sermon in San Antonio, Texas at New Life Christian Center in 1987. In 1989, Barbara officially sat and successfully received her Missionary License in the United Holy Church of America, Inc, and within 2-years she received her Evangelist License. If you were ever in her presence, you could see and feel the presence of the Lord as she was infamous for delivering a fiery sermon.

After her husband's retirement, the family moved to Georgia and Barbara remained active in the Church. Her enjoyment of lifting others in the Lord was evident as she continued to plant the seeds of her ministry. She became a member of the Holy Fellowship Church of God in Christ and received her Evangelist License for the state of Georgia. Her primary focus was being a big supporter of other women realizing their full potential. She was highly active in mentoring the younger members of the church in the ways of ministering and uplifting the community.

If there was one word to describe Barbara, it would be “Mom”. Her devotion to helping and caring for others was her true calling. Not only did she raise and care for her own, but she was also a “Mom” to all that needed one; including her siblings, grandchildren, and friends. She was first in line to offer a helping hand or an encouraging word. In times of despair, her many words of wisdom always brought a smile and comfort knowing this too shall pass. Barbara’s life was full of love and adventure. Her humor and laughter were infectious and will be deeply missed. Her life was her family, and she was the Rock and Matriarch of our Family.

She leaves to cherish her memory four daughters, Eustacia V. McCloud Carter (Jimmy), Deborah Y. McCloud Holland (Gary), Meshell Y. McCloud, and Margaret L. McCloud Arthur (Walter); seven grandchildren, Kelsena McCloud, Britney Sheldon Laux (Shaun), Bjorn A. Thompson, Darnell McCloud (Melanie), Courtney McCloud, Rodney McCloud, and Taylor McCloud Holland; thirteen great-grandchildren, Nailah Woodfolk, Zoe Laux, Taniah Austin, Noah Laux, Zarie Thompson, Kaleah Hancock, Bjorn A. Thompson, Jr, Coolidge Holland, Chloe McCloud, Kyrie Howard, Ava Young, Xamora Holland, Theodore Holland; and siblings, Theotis White (Nancy), and Brenda White Carter (LeRoy).