Barbara Ann Mathews was born October 23, 1933 in Chicago Il. She was the third of five children born to Willie and Flossie Martin. She was educated at McKinley High School in Chicago.

Barbara was married at an early age to Edward Gillette. They were  blessed with three children, Deborah, Patricia, and Willis (Mike). Many years after that divorce she entered in a holy matrimony with Willie (Matt) Matthews and the that union two children were born, Kim and Wile (Billy) Jr.

Barbara spent her life as a homemaker. She was fiercely protective of her children. She had no problem defending and protecting her children from any threat real or otherwise.

Barbara lived life and enjoyed it to the fullest. Her legacy of strength, the courage of her convictions and her feistiness has been manifested in her grand's and great grand's two-fold. She enjoyed playing Tonk with her card group, watching "scary" movies, and game shows. She especially loved watching her "boyfriend" Steve Harvey, daily, on Family Feud.

Barbara was a member of Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. She made her confession of faith and was Baptized on August 15, 2010.

Barbara re-located to Sacramento, CA near the end of February 2017 due to illness . The remainder of her life was spent re-connecting with her children and getting to know her many grands and great grand's who got to know and lover her dearly. Unfortunately, her time spent with her children was much too short. Barbara peacefully departed this life in the late evening hours of December 24, 2017.

Barbara was preceded in death by her father and mother, her husband, Willie Matthews, her brother, Thomas (Tommy) Martin; and two sisters Gladys Jackson and Audrey (Jean) Bennett.

Barbara leaves to mourn her passing a loving and devoted sister, Shirley (Willie) Nosy, Chicago, IL; three daughters, Deborah (Alvin) Brown, Antelope, CA; Patricia Gillette, Indianapolis, IN; Kim Matthews, Sacramento, CA, and two sons, Willis Gillette, Chicago, IL and Willie (Lenore) Matthews Jr, Winston-Salem, NC; Sixteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

We thank our Heavenly Father for the time He gave to us to spend with our mother. We will cherish those memories forever in our hearts. Rest in peace mom in the presence of the Lord!