Barbara Elaine Hope

Barbara Elaine Hope, a “Shining Star” of her family was born on August 13, 1949 in Ocala, Florida to the late Alga Hope, Sr. and Julia Mays Hope.  

Barbara was a loving mother, sister and aunt and a dedicated teacher/educator whose determination led her to many remarkable achievements during her lifetime. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Creative Writing in 2001 from Empire State College, City University, New York; a Master of Science in Elementary Education from City University of New York, Brooklyn College, 2003, and an advanced certificate in Supervision and Administration from the City University of New York/Hunter College in 2007.  Barbara taught literacy in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades at New York Public School 328 in Brooklyn New York where she later became “Lead Teacher in Literacy “Teacher-Mentor, from 2004 – 2016.  During this time, she developed instructional strategies and provided resources and classroom management for teachers of students from difficult backgrounds in Brooklyn, New York.  

Barbara had a life-time commitment to service in the cause of humanity. She said that she went into education because she was concerned for “the pursuit of her divine spiritual mission” and to preserving “her own soul” in the face of the banality she saw all around her, especially in New York City.  She agonized over the fact that “fat cats” were playing backroom politics while our children were being discarded in the wastelands of our nation to make their own way through jungles of deteriorating school systems, drugs, hunger, and inadequate health care.” 

Barbara’s Career / Roles Over the Years are Extensive and Remarkable: In addition to being a stellar teacher and devoted mother of four, she was a personal fitnessinstructor, an Accounts Manager at Citibank and Chase Bank, New York City, fiction writer and poet, and a fashion model. 

Her loving family includes her Children: Vanessa Hope, Garriett Wilkerson Jr. III (Kimberly Wilkerson), Shawna Wilkerson, Désirée Wilkerson; herGrandchildren: Dylan Dudley, Curtis Larousse, Jessee Larousse, Chloé-Masseny Bakayoko, Amon Bruyère; and her Siblings: Joyce Hope Scott, Zelma Jean Hope, Ann Hope Beard-Cantrell (deceased), Alga Hope Jr. (Sonya White), and Warren Conley Hope Sr. (Cynthia Hope), as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues in the United States, as well as in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.   

Barbara was deeply spiritual. Her interests and passions included love of family and friends, the environment, traveling, music: R&B, jazz, blues--dance and fitness, writing fiction and poetry, fashion, old Hollywood movies (adventure and Westerns), cats, the beach and great food.  Barbara was Fiercelyindependent and driven, Deeply loving and loyal, Creative and expressive, Fun-loving and funny. She did not accept compromise of her principles and as she wrote, “I feel the sweet taste of accomplishment--knowing that I wrote my own final chapter.” Barbara was a “bright, shining star,” a resilient, rebellious true warrior woman. She was deeply loved, and will be cherished in our memories of her forever. Ashe, Ashe, Ashe O.   À Dieu, Beloved Barbara—until we meet again. 

Barbara Elaine Hope's services will be located at Calvary Baptist Church: 2701 SE 73rd St, Ocala, FL 34480; to be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 11:00AM.

Profession services are entrusted to Hadley-Brown Funeral Home, 127 N.W. 20th Street, Ocala, Florida 34475. (352) 620-0573.

“Providing Unparalleled Service and Compassion”

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