Katie Foye Barnhill

Katie Foye Barnhill was a brilliant woman with a multitude of talents, she was a role model and a pioneer who paved the way for women in math and sciences long before the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs were developed and implemented. She made significant strides and contributions to the San Diego Unified School District and Cultimately became a Vice Principal. Katie Foye Barnhill went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 19th, 2020. She was 80 years young.

One of seven children, Katie was born in beautiful Madison, North Carolina on February 23, 1940 to Clarence and Addie Foye. Her parents realized at a very young age that Katie was highly intelligent. She demonstrated problem solving and leadership skills with her siblings and family. She was accepted into school a year early in Rockingham County.

Katie attended college at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) in Greensboro, North Carolina. She became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority as an undergraduate. She was passionate about community involvement and helping others. She was a participant at the Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in.

Katie met Ralph Gibson Barnhill Sr. in a physics course when the two were paired as lab partners. They fell in love and destiny prevailed. Both graduated from North Carolina A&T. Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Ralph graduated with honors and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Soon after graduating from A&T, the college sweethearts were married. When Ralph was recruited for a design engineering position with General Dynamics, the couple and their first born, Carla (born in Greensboro in 1962), in tow – migrated to San Diego, CA, where their son, Ralph G. Barnhill Jr. was born in 1968. Katie loved her children dearly.

Katie received her Master’s Degree in Education from United States International University and acquired both administrative and counseling credentials from Point Loma College in San Diego, California.

Katie was employed by the San Diego Unified School District as a mathematics teacher, resource teacher, counselor and administrator. She encountered and financially assisted numerous students in her career, conducted PSAT and SAT workshops, tutored students in math, counseled females who had a fear of mathematics and gave book scholarships. Katie retired after serving the children of San Diego for 34 years.

She was a beautiful woman, inside and out and a philanthropist by nature. She helped people throughout her life. If there were holiday celebrations, she would take groceries to those who could not afford to feed their families. Katie often shared her family and dinner table with friends and mentees. To this day people say, “She helped me so much”; “I appreciate her”; “She encouraged and/or inspired me to pursue my dreams.” Katie made tremendous sacrifices for her immediate & North Carolinian family, friends and strangers her entire life.

Katie was an amazing cook and a gifted nutritionist. She could and would prepare anything and always from scratch. She was adamant about including many vegetables as part of the meal. The nutritional balance of the meals she prepared was unbelievable. Southern and continental cuisine was her specialty. But let’s be frank. She exceled at everything she did.

Katie has been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for 60 years, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for 36 years. She was also a board member of the Common Ground Theatre. As a faithful, dedicated and committed member of Christian Fellowship Congregational Church United Church of Christ, she was president of the Women’s Ministry, served on the Trustee Board and as Treasurer of the Council.

Katie was also very active in the Broadway Heights Community Council(BHCC) where she was the Sick and Bereavement Chairman, one of the Advisors to the neighborhood youth group and was a member of the committee that took 51 seniors citizens and children on a Civil Rights Tour across America, which included Tennessee, Washington D.C., Alabama, Georgia, and Arkansas. Katie also traveled BHCC to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches in March of 2015. Additionally she traveled with the BHCC to tour the new Nation Museum of African American History and Culture in June 2017. Katie received numerous awards, such as Women of Distinction and Breakfast for Mi Lady, A Tribute to Mothers. She was also elected to many offices including the President of Jack & Jill of America and the Far West Secretary/Treasurer for two consecutive terms.

Katie enjoyed spending time with her grandson and watching him grow into a young man. She was so proud of her grandson. Edward Andre Bashay, graduated in Astrophysics from UC Santa Cruz, his thesis A Search for Mass Loss in Metal-Poor Red Giant Stars published in the Publications of Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Ralph and Katie met in a physics course and their grandson studied physics. Fate.

Katie could do anything she set her mind to; So effortlessly and with such grace. She touched the lives of so many people in her lifetime and such a positive way. She was a blessed women of god and a living jewel. Katie passed away on what would have been her and Ralph G. Barnhill Senior's 60th earthly wedding anniversary. The lord called home one of his most hardworking angels. Such a beautiful soul that will be missed. We will see her again. Rest heavenly angel, your earthly assignment is complete.

Katie Foye Barnhill is survived by daughter Carla Bashay Crudup of San Diego (and husband Everett); grandson Edward Andre Bashay of San Diego; Katie is preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Ralph Gibson Barnhill Sr.; son, Ralph Gibson Barnhill Jr.; parents Clarence and Addie Foye; siblings, Albert Foye (Patricia), Helen Foye, Billie Foye (Donnie), Coy Foye (Doris), Garland Foye (Nancy); Eddie Foye (Paulette); Additionally, she leaves to mourn three sisters-in-law Nancy Foye, Patricia Foye, Paulette Foye and a host of loving relatives and friends.