Yewubdar Barfield

Yewubdar was born January 24, 1977, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to loving Orthodox Christian parents, Gebyanesh Adnachew and Manmektot Ayele. She was the second child, as there was an older brother, Tesfaye. Over the next five years, the family welcomed a boy, Tedlaye, and a girl, Hirut. Yewubdar assumed the role of big sister early in life, instinctively caring for those around her, including her admiring younger siblings. In 1992, their bond grew even stronger when Yewubdar, Tedlaye, and Hirut immigrated to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to live with their aunt and uncle, Marta Gabre-Tsadick and Demeke Tekle-Wold, and a large family, which also included their beloved uncle, Haile Adnachew. They attended Geyer Middle School and Northrop High School. Yewubdar’s bright smile and easy-going personality won her the favor of family and friends. She also developed excellent cooking skills, and a great sense of humor, and was always supportive of anyone in need. When asked about her future aspirations, Yewubdar mentioned various careers of service to others and consistently described her desire to have her own large family someday. Upon graduation, Yewubdar attended Taylor University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2002. Later that year, she met the love of her life, Tyree Barfield. A Fort Wayne native, Tyree was captivated by Yewubdar’s beautiful smile and clear values. The couple married in 2004. A year later, Yewubdar and Tyree welcomed their first daughter, Victoria, into their lives. She was followed by Naomi, Grace, Meron, Liya, and Joy. The couple delighted in each birth. As the family grew, they nourished the distinct personalities of each of their daughters, helping them to harness their unique talents, and teaching them to be compassionate, strong, and faithful. Yewubdar also took post-grad courses at IPFW and worked to help support the family while Tyree completed law school on his journey to becoming a Public Defender. Ever since she was a child, Yewubdar dreamt of parenting a large family. When her time arrived, she threw herself into the role and loved every second. She taught her girls to be close so that they might lean on each other in moments of adversity. In ways big and small, she nurtured her tight-knit family, built on faith and love for one another. Yewubdar was a pillar of grace and care in her Fort Wayne community. She spread love to her neighbors, fellow congregants, and Bishop Dwenger and St Vincent De Paul families. She loved this “village” and they demonstrated their love in return, especially in caring for her and the family this year. Yewubdar Barfield was preceded in death by her brother, Tesfaye Manmektot in 2003 and her father, Manmektot Ayele in 2018. Her legacy continues through a loving husband and life partner, Tyree Quintrell Barfield, and their six amazing girls, Victoria Mekedes Barfield, Naomi Bestelot Barfield, Grace Hiwot Barfield, Meron Rachel Barfield, Liya Hirut Barfield, and Abigail (Joy) Desta Barfield. She leaves her mother, Gebyanesh Adnachew, a brother, Tedlaye Manmektot, sister, Hirut Manmektot, in-laws, Melinda and Bill Batteast, and Dr. Oscar and Helen Underwood; sister-in-law, Melak Hailu; and three nieces, Etsegenet Tesfaye, Biruktawit Tedlaye, and Maya Tedlaye. She leaves a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, and a community of devoted extended family members and friends who surrounded and cared for her every single day during her illness. Yewubdar left us far too early, but her strength and courage are planted within us. They will comfort and inspire us forever.