Ms. Barbara Althea Tolson

Ms. Barbara Althea Tolson was born on October 14, 1956, in Washington D.C., to the late Margaret Clarice Wallace and George Lewis Tolson. She was baptized into the Catholic faith as a baby, which is tradition in the Catholic Church. She was one of 8 siblings, number 5 in terms of birth order, but that didn't stop her from trying to keep everyone else in line. She attended DC Public Schools including; HD Cooke Elementary, Lincoln Middle School, Cardozo, and Dunbar High Schools. Life was sometimes tough for Barbara but she always rose to the challenge, because she was tough, headstrong, and fearless but with a heart of gold. She was also very independent and industrious, which is why she went to work immediately out of high school and landed a "good government job" as an Operations Specialist at the Department of Defense --Automation and Printing Services. She worked there for 26 years before retiring in 2000. She worked several more years after retiring, mostly in private industry, in various capacities including medical coding, administrative assistance, customer service, and hospital housekeeping. Barbara had her own fashion sense and enjoyed dressing and looking her best. But, she struggled with Alopecia so wigs and hats had become her best option. That is until she met her barber and Boo, Nathaniel Carter. He transformed her into one of the beautiful, black, bald women of "Wakanda." People; men and women, constantly told her how fabulous she looked with that style. She said, "I wish I had done it sooner." Nate said, "I told you so." Barbara was a true Washingtonian, she lived and loved living in the city and that journey took her to: Maryland Ave, K St. and 6th St. in N.E., 12th place, Irving Street, and Girard St. In N.W. Her final stop was Kansas Ave. in N.W., where she stayed with relatives while she waited for a senior apartment to become available in the city. While living there, she was Ms. Neighborhood Watch, a friend to many, and a support and sometimes caretaker for her Uncle. She loved cooking and baking, playing the lottery, old-school music and dancing, walking (when she could), and watching her favorite Tyler Perry drama series on cable; Sisters and the Black Mafia Family. She is preceded in death by her sisters Margaret Lyles, Brenda Tolson, and Linda Tolson; her brother George Tolson and her very special friend Nathaniel Carter. She leaves to mourn, her sisters; Betty Bradford and Shirley Tolson; brother David Tolson; her dear friends Dora Watts and Carmela Pinckney and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Barbara led a good life, she was loved by many and she will be deeply missed.

Tributes

Ms. Barbara Althea Tolson

October 14, 1956 - March 17, 2024