On Monday, July 20, 2020, God called one Christian Warrior from battle to rest in his heavenly home. Ethel White Barnard was born on December 30, 1935 to the late Charlie Franklin White and Mamie Spellman White in Moyock, NC. Ethel accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior very early in life. She became a member of Pilgrim Journey A.M.E. Zion Church located in Moyock, NC as a child. Upon relocating to Chesapeake, VA she continued her faithful membership and attendance until health would no longer allow her that freedom of worship. She served various roles in the church such as worker of Home Missions; and President of the Senior Choir, Foreign Missionary Society and Deaconess Board. She was always willing to lift and build up God’s Kingdom.
Ethel loved church, singing, children, music, social events, traveling, sightseeing, people, and her sorority, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa. Her favorite color was red. Ethel met and dated the love of her life, Wilbert Barnard. They were married on December 25, 1963. Ethel graduated from Currituck Union High School located in Currituck County, NC. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Elizabeth City State University, NC and Master of Art in Urban Education from Norfolk State University, VA. She joined the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa early in her adult life.
Ethel Barnard made a career doing what she loved-teaching. She was selected as “Chesapeake Teacher of the Year”. She taught school in Chesapeake, VA for over 30 years before retirement. Her school related activities included duties and membership in the Parent Teacher Association; Child Study Team; Faculty Representative; Chesapeake Reading Council; Writing Committee; and Chapter One Project Revision Committee. Her civic groups and activities included President of the Good Neighbor Club; Block Coordinator for the West Munden Civic League; member of the Chesapeake Democratic Women’s Club; member of the Chesapeake Pollywog Children’s Steering Committee; and member of the Star of the East – Number 6.
Ethel was preceded in death by her loving husband, Wilbert Barnard, her loving parents, Charlie Franklin White and Mamie Spellman White, and her two loving brothers, Clinton Lewis White, and Alexander Shadrach White. She leaves in the Lord’s loving hand, her sister-in-law, Patricia Jarvis White; nephews, Deon White and London White all from Wappinger Falls, NY; niece, Cinda White Jenkins from Chesapeake, VA; and a host of other loving nephews, nieces, relatives, and close friends.
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Elizabeth Martin says
July 24, 2020 at 7:11 pmOur deepest condolences to your family. We have know Ms Barnard since she and her late husband moved to Chesapeake. She will truly be missed. She was like a family member to us.
Sorrowfully,
The Family of the late
Mr. & Mrs Willie Boddie
(Wylean Jenkins and Family
Elizabeth “Bet” Martin)
Desiree Miller says
July 25, 2020 at 12:38 pmMy deepest condolences to the family of Mrs. Barnard. She was a mother to some and a dear friend to others. She was genuine and will be missed dearly. Her smile will always be remembered. The journey is over and she now can rest in peace. ♥
Love,
Desiree
Great Grand-daughter of the Late Mrs. Alberta Williams (Next Door Neighbor)
Cynthia Pierce says
July 26, 2020 at 10:45 amTo the family of Ethel Barnard,
We send our love and condolences. Ethel, fondly known as “Sis” to us, was a delightful, fun, loving and caring person. We will miss her beautiful smile, energetic personality and deep dimples. May the joy of her memory comfort you as Heaven gains another angel!
Heartfelt Regards,
Cynthia (Felton) Pierce and The Felton Family
(Daughter of Lenora Phillips Felton, cousin of Ethel)
Cynthia Pierce says
July 26, 2020 at 10:48 amTo the family of Ethel Barnard,
We send our love and condolences.
Ethel, fondly known as “Sis” to us, was a delightful, fun, loving and caring person. We will miss her beautiful smile, energetic personality and deep dimples. May the joy of her memory comfort you as Heaven gains another angel!
Heartfelt Regards,
Cynthia (Felton) Pierce and The Felton Family
(Daughter of Lenora Phillips Felton, cousin of Ethel)
Mrs. Brenda Foreman says
July 26, 2020 at 1:41 pmMy sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Barnard. I first met her my 1st year of teaching. She was smart, sassy, and fun loving. As the years went on, we were no longer just coworkers, but close friends. My children loved her and Mr. Barnard. We had some good times. I also remember seeing her walking in the mall getting her exercise on. I will always hold fond memories of her in my heart. May God cover and bless this family during this time in their lives.
Lamont Simmmons, a former student says
July 28, 2020 at 11:53 am“My deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends, colleagues , students and neighbors on the passing of our beloved Ethel. She was our third grade teacher at Southeastern Elementary School in Chesapeake, Virginia. all the guys loved her. She is sorely missed.”
Joanne Mercer Lewis says
July 28, 2020 at 4:47 pmMy deepest sympathy to the family. May God bless you.
Sheryl Lawrence says
July 28, 2020 at 8:34 pmEthel “Sister” Barnard was a wonderful, vibrant person. She was a distant cousin on my mother’s side of the family.She was always smiling, talkative and full of life. My love and prayers go out to our family as we grieve of the loss of a beautiful person. May she rest in heavenly peace.
Sheryl and Lloyd Lawrence
Austin, Texas
Reverend Jessie M Riddick says
July 29, 2020 at 1:25 pmMy deepest sympathy to family of Mrs. Ethel Barnard. May God continue to bless and keep you.
Carolyn Miller says
July 29, 2020 at 2:34 pmI have lost a wonderful neighbor, great mentor, a fabulous role model and good friend. She represented the epitome of being a strong Black woman with high values who never took seconds. Being an educator was her spice of life. She planted many seeds with her wisdom and encouraged many of her students to press on even in hard times. I feel proud to say I knew her and to add her to my league of people with whom I respect with honor.
July,29,2020
Patricia White says
July 29, 2020 at 4:02 pmWappingers Falls, New York
We are going to let happy memories carry us through this time of sadness. Time and prayer are the key to healing pain. God’s love will make our grief bearable. Rest In heavenly peace
dear sister-In-law and auntie.
The Family
Patricia, Deon and London White
Hilda Cuffee says
July 30, 2020 at 8:10 amTo Cinda Jenkins and Family
May our Lord give you peace and comfort during this time as only He can.
Hilda Cuffee
Connie C. Whitfield says
July 30, 2020 at 8:03 pmMy sincerest condolences to the family of Ethel Barnard. She was my neighbor, friend, and traveling buddy. She fought the good fight, she finished the course, and kept the faith. There is laid up for her a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give her on that day: and not to her only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
I will surely miss you.
Connie Crudup Whitfield
LaGreta Lawrence says
August 1, 2020 at 11:33 amMs. Barnard take your well deserved rest. You will be greatly missed. All the Xinos are so appreciative of the guidance and love you gave us. You taught us how to be the great women we are today!
Myra (Spellman) Bass says
August 1, 2020 at 12:11 pmExpressing heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Spellman and Barnard families. My parents, Ulysses & Marie spoke highly of both Cousin Ethel & Cousin Wilbert. They are all resting in glory now. May the Joy of the Lord be the strength for her close relatives at this time. Instead of mall walking Cousin Ethel can walk in heaven all day. May God bless and keep you.
Cecile A. Cuffee says
August 1, 2020 at 6:32 pmTo the family: I am so sorry for your loss. I will always treasure the wonderful memories and everything Mrs.Bernard taught me in third grade ( 1958 ) at Southeastern Elementary School. She was such a beautiful person and an excellent teacher. May God continue to comfort and bless you.
Michael Lassiter says
August 2, 2020 at 12:44 pmTo the family of Mrs, Ethel Barnard
My deepest condolences for your loss.Mrs.Barnard was my third-grade teacher. She was truly loved by all who knew her. She was a dedicated educator to help all of the students who were entrusted in her care. Southeastern Elementary had many talented teachers and she was among the best and always kept a smile on her face. I want to say thank you for the time that she spent with me to become a better man .
Corliss Marcia Knight says
August 3, 2020 at 3:16 pmWe in the JOY Senior Club in Chesapeake always miss the terrific trips you planned for us yearly. All of your family are in our prayers. All of the 21 members Corliss Knight (president)
Ronald L. White says
November 4, 2020 at 10:30 amI am just learning of my dear cousin’s transition. If possible, would a family remember please reach out to me.
Dr. Ronald White (7578220563).
Ethel was a role model and an exemplar educator. She was the glue to keeping the various sides of the family connected. She exposed me to so much that I could not help but to be successful in life. She had hosted our family reunion, simply a beautiful soul. I could go on and on; however, I will close.
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