Barbara M Holston

was born February 16, 1931 at Salisbury Hospital in Salisbury, Maryland. However, she was a true child

of the Eastern Shore of Virginia all her life.

As a child, Barbara lived in both Parksley and Onancock Virginia. She always spoke of what a happy

childhood she had, especially with so much family surrounding her. She made lifelong school friends and

remained close with them throughout her life. Barbara moved to Wilmington, Delaware as a teen and

lived in the area until 1980, when she finally realized her lifelong dream of moving to Florida.

Barbara met and married Gene Baker in 1950 and they traveled for some time, training and racing

horses. In the late 1950s, Barbara worked for the Library of Congress, and occasionally served lunch to

then Secretary of State John Dulles. Later she became a manager and dress buyer for Strawbridge &

Clothier in Wilmington, Delaware. She left that job just prior to adopting her first child and became one

of the best moms to ever grace the planet. She was deeply involved in raising her two children and

served in many capacities at her children’s school and her church. Each year, she and her two children

spent two happy months at the Delaware shore making unforgettable memories at Dewey and

Rehoboth beaches. Barbara was a lover of sun, sand, and ocean all her life.

Barbara and her second husband Sam moved to Florida in 1980. She moved her parents to Florida

shortly after, where her sister Jean and brother Ronny also lived. The Eastern Shore Middleton family

was now reunited.

Living in Florida let her make the most of her retirement years. She returned to Delaware every year,

staying with her Aunt Kay, and eventually with her daughter every summer. She made many happy

memories with her Delaware family, and was thrilled to be a part of her granddaughter’s life as she was

growing up. She also traveled with her husband to his family in Wisconsin and made happy memories

with her grandchildren and great grandchildren there.

Barbara loved music as well as singing and dancing. This love never left her. She was a huge fan of

Gospel music and Big Band.

Barbara was a survivor. Diagnosed with arthritis when she was nine, she lived with it all of her life. She

also survived a burst gall bladder, Hurricane Andrew, 4 pelvis breaks and 3 bouts of breast cancer. She

was an unstoppable force of toughness, fielding all that life threw at her. She was one of the original

strong women. She championed Women’s’ Rights and was a forward thinker. She was never afraid to

stand up for people who experienced injustice, or to a waiter who did not bring her food hot.

When Barbara had to go into assisted living, she was blessed to continue with her aide Magy, who took

wonderful care of her and treated her as her own mother. Barbara’s life was more enjoyable with Magy

in it. She lived at the Palace Gardens for 3 years and loved the staff and the other clients. She never met

a stranger, and she thrived with the opportunities for fellowship and making new friends.

There are not enough words to say what my Mom meant to me. I spoke to her every evening and when

we could not see each other because of Covid, we spent hours reminiscing about the wonderful lives we

had been given. My mother was an amazing woman and I will miss her cheerful spirit and loving heart all

the days of my life.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Barbara Jean (Mark) Scira, her honorary daughter Magy Roberts,

her granddaughter Avalon, her great niece Ashley (David) Schultz, great nephew Darryl (Samantha)

Grubbs, and great, great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her stepson Byron (JoAnn), and

many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Barbara loved her 4 Husky grandchildren as well.

She was predeceased by her husband Samuel Holston, mother and father, Agnes and Braden Middleton;

her brother Ronald (Fran) Middleton; her sister Jean (Spence) Olinger, her son Tommy Baker;

granddaughter Becky, and her beloved cousin Pat (Bill) Culliton.

No services are planned at this time, because of Covid. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for

contributions to be made to the Holiday Fund (a fund designed to support workers at her facility), The

Palace Gardens, Attn: Giulia Covella, 3100 Campbell Drive, Homestead, FL 33033.