Barbara Jean Haynes

Barbara Jean Arnolie-Haynes, affectionately known as Bobby by her loved ones, passed away on September 1, 2025, at the age of 79. Official records report that she left on that date, but the truth is, she actually died years ago when she gave her life to Jesus. Because of that, we know that her last breath here was followed by her first breath in paradise.

Barbra Jean Arnolie was born on December 23, 1945, and lived all of her childhood in New Orleans, Louisiana with her parents and siblings. She was the fourth child to Fhenia Crawford Arnolie and Sumner Arthur Anthony Arnolie. It is with great sadness and immeasurable gratitude that we celebrate her remarkable life. The spirit and love that flowed through her will be felt by all who knew her. She was a woman of profound impact, leaving behind a legacy marked by her unwavering love and dedication to her family and her commitment to helping others. She had a wonderful life, full of love, family, friends, and experiences that shaped the gentle and loving woman she was. She often expressed never having any regrets about her upbringing and the pride in family values.

Barbara's journey through life was marked by the profound losses of her loved ones. She is preceded in death by her beloved mother Fhenia Arnolie father, Sumner Arnolie, sister Linda Arnolie-Griffin, her brother, Arthur Arnolie,Sr. and grandmother Clara Crawford Thomas. While their absence weighed heavily on her, it was a testament to her strength that she carried their memories with grace and resilience. Following her graduation from George Washington Carver High School, New Orleans, LA in 1964, she attended Southern University New Orleans campus where she met her college sweetheart, Wilfred Haynes. In 1968, they married and she relocated to Washington, DC. She went back to school and became a Dental Assistant. After the birth of her first child, she was a stay-at-home mom for several years. Her greatest joy and deepest pride were her children. She was a devoted wife and mother to Wilfred Haynes, Jr. and Rochelle Haynes Perry Woods. Nurturing a legacy that fostered a strong faith, with love for God and compassion for people.

Striving for a better life, her educational background was varied and complex. She attended Prince George’s Community College and earned an Associate’s Degree through Howard University Saturday College along with other certificates of training from the United States Air Force. In 1974, Barbara's life took a major turn when she landed a job in the Federal Government with the Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC), and National Geospatial Agency (NGA) supporting the military and Intelligence Community in various positions. Her final federal position was an Imagery Intelligence Analyst. From January 1974 to February 2007, she rose through the ranks in the intelligence community and received many accolades for her professionalism and educational perseverance to her career. Her dedication and skills earned her numerous outstanding awards and honors for her expertise and contributions, which were vital to the military missions. Supporting the military in various positions was a dream job. It allowed her to work with all branches of service and visit many locations throughout the United States and abroad.

Throughout her time, she called Washington, DC, and Fort Washington, Maryland home until she divorced and settled in the Houston, TX area where she enjoyed her retirement. Her civic duties continued, and she signed up with The Harris County Clerk's Office Elections Department where she spent several years working as a clerk. She was also encouraged and nominated to work as a presiding or alternate election supervisor at polling locations. Barbara also reigned as Queen of the Royal Purple Stars, a chapter of The Red Hat Society. This quintessential Southern woman genuinely had an open hospitality to family and strangers. She leaves a large group of relatives and friends, always staying in contact no matter where she lived.

Barbara was very crafty, but her love of sewing was her therapy. She also enjoyed reading and home decor improvement shows where she learned and developed a natural gift of interior decorating. She was naturally gifted to work with her hands and had a toolbox of various tools she frequently used. She freely assisted many young brides in wedding coordinating and planning and frequently consulted and assisted in planning beautiful, elegant weddings. She created wedding head pieces, designed bridal bouquets and floral arrangements, and decorated the sanctuary both inside and outside. You got the idea it was going to be a spectacular event before you went inside. Barbara never met a stranger and was always able to make even the shyest person feel welcomed and comfortable. Her quick wit and compassion for others made her delightful company. There was not a single topic that she couldn't discuss. She was a news junky and watched the weather channel, MSNBC, CNBC, CNN and was always up to date on world affairs and events. She was jokingly called “BNN” Barbara News Network.

She didn’t have a favorite team, but she enjoyed just about all sports and watched golf, tennis, football, baseball, and basketball games. She also looked forward to the Kentucky Derby and the Olympic games every four years shouting enthusiastically at the TV set during events. Although she was a no-nonsense person, she cherished her family and filled their lives with tales of wisdom, laughter, and love. She had one daughter, but her baby sister Patricia was her first child, born when she was 20. She was a late loving surprise for her parents. Due to medical complications after her birth, Barbara contributed to her care until she married and relocated to Washington, DC. Although she only had two children of her own, her sister Patricia was her first. They continue to have a special bond and are often assumed to be mother and daughter.

Barbara was a woman of profound impact, leaving behind a legacy marked by her unconditional love and dedication to her family as well as her commitment to education and helping others. She lived her life with a strong sense of family pride, respect, diligence, patience, and humility. To those who knew her, she was a beacon of kindness, warmth, and unwavering support. Her presence illuminated the lives of all who had the privilege of crossing paths with her, leaving an indelible mark of love and compassion. Her true legacy flourished as she transitioned to "Mama" with the expansion of her family and the addition of her 6 grandchildren, until that last baby boy (affectionately called old man), changed all that and asked if he could call her “Grandma”. Her wonderful grandchildren are Eric Perry, Amani Perry, Hannah Haynes, Omari Haynes, Madison Haynes and Micah Woods.

Barbara’s memory will be honored by her surviving family, her son Wilfred Jr.(Michelle) daughter Rochelle, grandchildren, brother Ronald Arnolie, sisters, Trelles Reed (Herbert), Joyce Reed, Patricia Webster (Farrand) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins will continue to shine the torch of her enduring spirit.

A public viewing will be held on September 13, 2025, from 5pm-8pm followed by services to celebrate Barbara’s life on September 14, 2025, at 11AM at the Brookside Funeral Home Cypress Creek, 9149 Highway 6 No. Houston, TX 77095. We invite friends and family to honor Barbara's life and generous spirit.