Upon her arrival to Chicago, Bobbie became “Barbara Darleen” Grant. Barbara accepted the Lord as her Personal Savior at a young age. She attended Lucy Flower Technical High School and went on to Woodrow Wilson College, where she trained in the secretarial field.
Upon graduating, Barbara worked for Martin & Morris Music Publishing. During her time at Martin & Morris music, Barbara wrote songs, scored music and secured copyrights. She worked with Aretha Franklin, James Cleveland, and gave Lou Rawls his first guitar. In 1958, Barbara wrote a song titled,"And He Cares", dedicated to her Mother. In 1960 her songwriting talents were produced by SamCooke on his label, SAR Records. {He Cares - The Soul Stirrers featuring Johnny Taylor} Not long after coming to Chicago, she also became a secretary for Bishop J. E. Watley of JerusalemTemple C.O.G.I.C., where she was also a very active member for many years. Barbara later turned her secretarial position over to her sister, Annie Grant, and became the Main Choir Director at Jerusalem Temple.
In 1949 a man, who had seen Barbara playing the guitar and singing in the church, told her that hewas going to Marry her. To that statement Barbara quickly replied, “You’re not gonna marry ME!!!”Ten years later on December 27, 1959, Barbara married that very man, and proudly became Mrs. James L. Haynes. During this union Barbara was very happy. Together James and Barbara had four daughters, and a lifetime of cherished memories. The Haynes household was a fine-tuned enterprising machine with Barbara wearing many different hats: Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Financial Director, Secretary, Cook, Nurse, Musician, Teacher, and let’s not forget… “Enforcer”
Throughout her life she maintained that she could do all things through Christ, who strengthenedher. Barbara was deeply rooted in the Gospel and would Sing it from the Highest Mountain to the Lowest Valley. Barbara was a Servant for the Lord and used her God given talents to Praise His name. Barbara was Minister of Music for Jerusalem Temple C.O.G.I.C. and Greater Mt. Tabor for several years. She also loved to attend Crusaders Ministries with her oldest daughter LuSonya (under the Leadership of Apostle John Eckhardt), as often as she could.
During her last days on this side of Heaven, Barbara’s faith was unshakable. She was surrounded byfamily, prayer, laughter and song. Barbara made her transition to her Heavenly Home on Tuesday,March 6, 2012 at 7:25 pm. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; R. Garland and LuVenia Grant, 5 older sisters; Lueva Williams, LuJanie Coffee, Vera Thomas, Reba Grant and Annie Grant, 2 brothers; Emory Grant and Ross Grant, Her Husband; Mr. James L. Haynes, and a daughter; Tamara Anne Haynes-Young.
Barbara leaves to cherish her loving memory, 3 daughters; LuSonya (Haynes) Goodson, Jasmine HaynesCummings and Barbria Haynes, 3 Grandchildren; Tashayanna Haynes-Young, Darien Haynes-Cummings and Jazia Haynes-Cummings, 3 Great Grandchildren; Tayon Haynes-Young, Quiayla McCree and Jazyia Cummings, One Sister, Tisha Mae Taylor, approximately 16 Nieces and 11 Nephews and an incredible Host of Grand and Great-Grand Nieces and Nephews, Sons, Daughters, Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, and an innumerable amount of Fans and Friends.
