Mary Ann Barber

MARY ANN BARBER was the youngest of four daughters from her father Eugene Jackson and mother Bettie Smith. Mary was born February 20, 1940, in Sebring, Florida. Her parents, siblings Margaret Black, Betty Jean Hardy, and Edna Joyce Jackson, and one grandson Marion S. Barber III, preceded her in death. 

Mary graduated from EO Douglas High School in June 1957. While in high school she was lovingly known as “Jack” from her maiden name Jackson. During college at Florida Memorial she met and married Marion S. Barber, Sr. from Pompano Beach, Florida. From this marriage three sons were born, Marion S. Jr., John D., and Collis L. Barber. 

In 1969, Mary found her true love in Thomas Williams Jr. From this union a son was born, Thomas L. Williams III. Mary Ann earned an Associate’s Degree while working for the Department of Social Services in Detroit, Michigan from where she retired. Mary worked for twenty seven years as a Social Worker, Supervisor, and Manager where she found joy in helping people. 

Mary accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age. Mary was a Den Mother with Pattengill Elementary School’s Cub Scouts Pack 659 where she blessed boys, aged 10 years and younger, with her strong faith in God and motherly guidance. She was also a member of the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit MI, where she was a very active member of the adult usher board and she was in charge of the youth usher board. 

Blue was her favorite color which goes well with how she loved to travel to Hawaii and look over that big blue ocean. In 2006, Mary decided it was time to move back to her roots in Sebring, Florida. Once in Florida, she found a new church home in Grace Bible Church. Mary genuinely loved her Grace Bible Church family. She was always active in Bible study whether in church or at home or just out shopping. Now when it was time to have a satisfying meal, she would always head over to her favorite restaurant, Dee’s Place, right in the center of downtown Sebring. Mary had a saying that would stick and still does today, “Hold to God Unchanging Hand”. She would also quote something from her mother Betty Smith “Jesus is the Answer”. 

In the early morning of Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the River Gate Health Care Center, Mary was called to the loving arms of the Lord. 

She leaves to cherish her memories, four sons; Marion S. Barber Jr. (Karen), John D. Barber (Jacqueline), Collis L. Barber, Thomas L. Williams (Karena), Eight grandchildren; John Jr., Dominique, Leslie, Mary, Thomas, Collis II, Bakari, and Carys, Six great grandchildren; Twins Titus and Maliya, Tatum, Mattea, Mila, and Cohen. A special nephew Terry Jackson and a special niece Bonita Smith, also an exceptional group of folks that cared for her during her last months in Florida; Marcus, Monica, Keisha, and Renata, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, her church family and friends. 

Mary Ann "Jack" Barber lived with faith, served with purpose, and held fast to the words she believed so deeply. May she rest in God's eternal peace, and may her testimony continue to speak through the lives and memories she leaves behind.