Barbara Yancey

Barbara “Bobbie” Jean Yancey was born in Parkdale, Arkansas on July 16, 1947. She was the oldest child of the late Girtha LeeFielder and Clarence Liggins. Barbara accepted Christ at an early age and loved to attend Sunday school. Bobbie, as she was affectionately known as, was a bright and inquisitive young girl. She was quite smart in school and always had the aspiration of leaving the small town and cotton fields of Parkdale, Arkansas.

In the late 1950s, several of Barbara’s Aunts had moved to Detroit. Her Aunts Reaba Singleton and Margaret Singleton, who were especially fond of Barbara, brought her to Detroit so that she may have better opportunities. She was enrolled in McMichael Elementary and Middle Schools. Barbara later attended and graduated from Northwestern High School in 1966.

After graduating high school, Barbara married her childhood sweetheart, Roy Yancey, who preceded her in death. From that union, her only child was born, Garry Elijah Liggins. Barbara was a doting mother who wanted the best for her young son. To help provide for him, Barbara took a job at Detroit General Hospital as a ward secretary. She quickly realized that her options for growth in that position would be limited. Barbara learned of a training program that was starting at some computer company called IBM. She often said jokingly, all I knew about IBM, was that it was supposed to be a big company and a good company to work for. 
 

In 1970, Barbara applied to and was accepted into IBM’s Data Key Punch Training Program located in Dearborn, Michigan. In order to attend the program, Barbara had to catch several buses. Sometimes, she had to leave out as early as five o’clock in the morning and occasionally had to walk the last few miles in the dead of winter to get to the training center because of a racist bus driver who would often pull off and leave as she was running to make the transfer to the next bus. Despite those obstacles, Barbara still excelled in the program. After  completing the program, she was hired in as a Data Key Punch Operator. Barbara continued to work for IBM for 25 years where she held numerous positions of increasing importance until her retirement in 1995 as a Senior Accounts Manager.

Barbara quickly grew bored with retirement an embarked on a new career as a Licensed Insurance Agent. She spent another 15 years as an Insurance Agent working for companies such as, GMIC, Liberty Mutual, and finally retiring from AAA after 10 years of service.

After Barbara retired from AAA, she recommitted herself to Christ and joined Christ Church of Southfield. Barbara served asa greeter at the church. She loved welcoming the members and meeting new visitors to the church. In spirit, she remained a faithful member of the church even when she was unable attend.

Barbara enjoyed working in her yard and tending to her rose bushes. She had numerous friends who she enjoyed spending time with. She and her girlfriends enjoyed dancing. They would frequently go to The Elks and The Green Place where they would dance the night away. She really enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter, Sierra. Barbara  loved having Sierraspend the weekend with her. They would do crafts, puzzles, and go to The Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop in Berkley. Barbara also loved to discuss politics and debate current events with her two favorite “debate partners”, her brother, Billy Rae (deceased) and her first cousin, Willie James (deceased). They would debate for hours with no one willing to concede their point. 

Some of Barbara’s happiest and proudest moments came from witnessing her son, Garry, graduate from Southfield High School and Oakland University; seeing her son marry his wifeKaren; and becoming a father to her granddaughter, Sierra.

Barbara leaves to cherish her memory her son, Garry and his wife Karen; her granddaughter, Sierra; brother Clifton Liggins;sister Mable Liggins; brother Earl Fielder; and sister LoisFielder; and a host of cousins and life-long friends.

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