 Barbara Grant circa 1959 |
Barbara married three times and gave birth to five children. Her first marriage was to Donald Thomas, and they had three daughters, Donna Lynn Thomas, Christopher Robin Thomas, and Barbara Dayle Thomas. Her second marriage was to Vantile Emmanual Whitfield during which she gave birth to her first son, Lance Vantile Whitfield. Barbara married Michael Bruce Hall in 1969, and during this marriage her youngest child Michael Ethan Arthur Hall was born. She also raised two of her grandchildren, Erin Elizabeth Thomas and Phillip Christopher “P.C.” Cockrell.
 Mom with Donna. |
 Mom hugging Chris. |
 Barbara Dayle. |
Barbara loved children and helping others. She taught preschool for many years, both in Los Angeles and North Carolina, where she lived for a period of time. When she returned to Los Angeles in 1978, she began a career in job placement and training for people who were unable to find employment through the usual means. She worked as a case worker and job developer for over 25 years. Even when she became handicapped herself, she still continued giving assistance and encouragement to those who needed it, not only because it was her job, but because it was a deeply ingrained part of her nature. She would never turn down anyone in need if there was a way she could help.
 Mother (Barbara) and son (Lance) circa 1989 |
Barbara had a wide variety of interests and passions. She loved music, sports and politics to name a few, and she never missed an episode of All My Children or Jeopardy, but her main focus was her family. Her loyalty to those she loved was limitless, fiercely protective, and unconditional. No matter what problems she might have had herself, she was never too busy to offer comfort when it was needed, even if all she could do was give words of encouragement or a hug. She had a way of making the most dire situations seem less bleak with her wonderfully odd sense of humor and sincere affection. Her kindness and cheerful attitude endeared her to nearly everyone she met. She was usually an optimist who chose to see the good in people rather than dwell on the negative. Barbara had a true Bohemian spirit that encompassed both innocence and sophistication. She believed strongly in protecting the rights of others. She was fair and nonjudgmental and tried to pass this attitude on to her children and grandchildren.
 Ethan and Mom circa 1973 |
It's difficult to truly capture Barbara's essence. She was such a unique soul, and a treasure to all who knew her. Her granddaughter Erin began calling her “Mimi” as a toddler, and she took to that nickname so well that most of the family referred to her by that name. She told hilarious stories, cooked the most delicious meals, sang songs from country to rap (even when she didn't know what those words meant all the time), loved reading, doing crossword puzzles, and most of all loved her family with all her being. Her passing will leave a deep chasm in our lives, but her bright spirit will forever be in our hearts.
Barbara is survived by her brother Louis Lyons Grant (wife Barbara), her five children, Donna Lynn Cockrell, Christopher Robin Thomas, Barbara Dayle Alford (husband Al), Lance Vantile Whitfield (wife Linda), and Michael Ethan Arthur Hall (wife Renea), thirteen grandchildren (Bobbie, Joey, Erin, Alex, P.C.,Terron, Nicoli, Evan,Tyler, Ryan, Ashley, Simone and Michael Jr.) four great-grandchildren (Nikolaus, Christian, Michael and Lucid) her niece (Gigi) and nephew (Gordon), and many cousins and friends.
She loved us all and we will greatly miss our “Mimi
contact info: lance@lancewhitfield.com