Barbara Lee Beaven

Barbara Lee Beaven, 93, passed away on August 21, 2023 Indianapolis IN. Surrounded by both her daughters Cynthia and Charbra Beaven. She was born on August 28, 1929, in Indianapolis IN to the union of Isom Jones and Lizzie (Hall) Jones. Lizzie Mae later remarried Godfrey Taylor who was a loving stepfather/ father for Barbara and her 6 other siblings.

Barbara's educational journey began at IPS #42 for her primary schooling and continued at Crispus Attucks High School. She furthered her education at Kentucky State University, Ball State Teachers College, and Butler University. Barbara pledged as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. initiated in 1949 into Beta Zeta Chapter at Kentucky State University.. Barbara's dedication to her craft led her to earn a Master's Degree in Education from Indiana University September 5, 1967.

Barbara married Charles Leonard Beaven. Their love story spanned 60years. From their union they nurtured and raised two daughters Cynthia and Charbra.

Barbara was a beloved teacher for 35 years, dedicating her career to educating and inspiring young minds. From 1957-1992 she taught at IPS schools #9, #72, and #26, where her students benefitted from her fair, compassionate, and disciplined approach to learning. She enforced her very own “Gold Star” reward system. Her students earned special rewards from having gold star behavior. Rewards ranging from lunch dates with her, Hot Wheels, Barbie’s, coloring books etc., all paid from her own salary. Barbara always had a sharp tongue but the softest of hearts. Many of her former students kept in touch with her over the years, sending wedding invitations, birth announcements, and even letters from war zones.

Barbara had a deep love for learning, and she was an avid reader who kept up with current events and politics. She cherished her pocket-sized Constitution and enjoyed a wide range of music, from Opera to Jazz, including Prince and Tom Jones. Barbara was also an international traveler. In her lifetime, she toured Europe twice, visited Canada, and enjoyed taking cruises to our surrounding islands. She and Charles would often take Sunday drives site-seeing in neighboring states. Barbara loved fashion, shopping, theater, ballet, musical plays of all kinds, and was enamored with live instrumental bands. Her favorite instrument played was the saxophone. Barbara was a prolific philanthropist, who donated regularly to non-profit organizations such as St Jude Children’s Hospital, Doctors Without Borders, and St Joseph Indian School, just to name a few.

Barbara is survived by her loving daughters, Cynthia and Charbra Beaven, as well as her brother, Leon Taylor (Bobbie), brother-in-laws Marion Beaven, Ernest Hughes (Betty), Robert Mohammed (Joyce), sister-in-laws Betty Beaven (Richard), Cossetta Beaven (Clarence), Georgella Watson (Alfred). She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, friends, and neighbors who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles L. Beaven, her mother Lizzie Mae (Hall) Tayler, her father Isom Jones, her stepfather Godfrey Taylor, her brothers Alfred Nathaniel Jones, Donald Eugene Jones, and her sisters Irene (Jones) Ferrell, Betty (Jones) Ryle, and Joyce (Taylor) Mohammed.

Always inspiring and full of positive wisdom. Barbara would tell you “There is power in your words, and you can speak positive things into existence”. She would encourage everyone that “With God all things are possible, pray, pray pray”. Barbara loved all her family and always prayed for our success, health and prosperity. She was a gift giver and a caregiver. She was truly a child of God. Barbara will always be in our minds and in our hearts.

Family and friends will gather Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Crown Hill Funeral Home 700 W 38th St. Indianapolis, IN, in the Remembrance Hall. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 12 noon. Celebration of Life will be directly after at 12 noon.