REMEMBERING BARBARA

Barbara Almitia Cooley, was the eldest of two daughters born to

Arabella and James Cooley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She lived in

both Philadelphia and Washington, DC during her younger years, then

relocated with family in grade school to Lawrenceville, Virginia where

she grew up and remained until graduating college. In Lawrenceville,

she attended St. Paul's Elementary School, James Solomon Russell

High School, and St. Paul's College where she received a Bachelor's

degree in elementary education in 1965.

Subsequently, Barbara taught elementary school in Bedford,

Alexandria, and Dale City, Virginia, with her longest tenure at Dale

City Elementary School where she worked in the primary grades and

special education until retirement in 2008. After retirement, she began

a new life of service helping Alexandria's neediest citizens.

For more than 15 years, she organized local churches to prepare

hot meals and bag lunches for Alexandrians four days a week at

Meade Memorial Episcopal church. It was not unusual to serve more

than 40 people. She was the hostess at every one of these lunches,

greeting each person by name, sitting with them, listening to them,

and occasionally keeping the peace.

Ultimately, she joined Alexandria's Christ Church, where she

was a leader in reinvigorating the prayer and service sisterhood of

the Daughters of the King. Her determination and deep spirituality

inspired the Daughters at Christ Church to grow its membership.

Barbara has always been an active church participant with history of

service in the altar guild, liturgical dance group, lay ministry, as well

as the Daughters of the King.

Through the years, she was a proud and active member in the Zeta

Chi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., achieving

golden soror status in the civic organization's hierarchy. She also

was a member of the local chapter of the St. Paul's College Alumni

Association

A devoted sister and family member, Barbara will be wellremembered

for her strength, sense of humor, kindness and loving

spirit. We shine because of her; she lit up all the dark places.

She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Cooley Joyner, a host of

cousins, and many extended family members and friends. Barbara

was preceded in death by her parents, Arabella and James Cooley and

nephew, Damon Lee, IV.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,

and you shall see that in truth you are weeping

for that which has been your delight.

"On Joy and Sorrow" by Kahlil Gibran from "The Prophet"