On October 18, 2024, our Matriarch Barbara Lee (Whatley)Sommerville gained her heavenly wings after a long life of serving our Lord, her family and the community.
Barbara was born in Akron, Ohio on April 30, 1933, to parents Adam “AC” Whatley and Annadale (Shannon) Whatley. Raised in humble beginnings Barbara and her two sisters Louise Bridges and Mary Watkins would learn how to navigate this world with love, grit, and good nature. All qualities her family would come to love and rely on till her last breath.
Barbara was committed to a life of learning. She initially attended Miller Elementary, Garfield High school where she loved reading and sharing adventures with her friends. On one venture she would meet her husband Harold Sommerville at the Summit Lake fair. He would accompany her on her biggest endeavor yet… the raising of a big family with a host of friends that would last a lifetime.
Barbara and Harold would go on to have 10 children in total: Theresa, Jerome, Gary Myers, Brenda, Keith, Michele, Rhonda, Cedric, Terrance, and Lawanna. Some would think with such a brood they would have gone without. Barbara was blessed with God’s favor early in life and had a hard-working husband which led to every childhood memory being filled with fun, food and laughter! So much she would be able to extend it to neighbors, relatives and anyone down on their luck! Barbara’s mother Annadale saw her with her first two little ones and predicted early on that she would be surrounded by the love of her children for all her days. That was no lie. She was a caregiver by nature not just for her children, but also for the sick and lonely, she cared for her mother and father as they were ailing and passed away. Barbara passed her caregiving nature on to her adult children who have spread that same love, joy and dedication to the community and world alike. We believe this was her God given assignment and she did not fail.
Barbara was guided by faith and introduced her children to the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age. Although she was a lifelong member of the Arlington Church of God, she would hold bible study with her grandchildren and even over the phone with her children on early morning Sundays.
Barbara worked several jobs over the years, but she felt pride in the time she spent in the dining and banquet halls of the University of Akron. There she prepared, organized and delivered her expertise on cuisine and how to accommodate large groups of students and educators alike. She was in her element, surrounded by promising youth and professionals, who sought out her smile and worldly advice. She even fed many individuals who would go on to have positions of leadership here in Akron and abroad.
After 15+ years, her service would be cut short by a terrible accident that would leave her a leg amputee, but that didn’t slow her down. She would walk and even dance for the next 45+ years, she never missed a beat. She continued to manage her children and household duties the same… which included singing and dancing with the little kiddies in her living room.
At 91 years old, Barbara, had braved the deaths of four of her beloved children, Keith, Jerome, Rhonda, and Gary. She was preceded in death by her lifelong partner and husband Harold affectionately named Bubba and her 104-year-old aunt Emily Mitchell. She would also lose her beloved cousins, Robbie Keith and Pola Jeffries, and great granddaughter Ranika (Oliver) Brown along the way.
Left to celebrate her life is her 96-year-old aunt Mary Mitchell, children: Theresa (Louis) Sommerville, Brenda (Charles) Sommerville Terrell, Michele (Benjamin) Bostick, Cedric (Tracy) Sommerville, Terrance Sommerville and Lawanna Sommerville Brooks. She had 23 grandchildren and over 48 or more great and great great grandchildren.
Sending gratitude and special thanks to her best friend Barbara Ann Poe and to a host of nieces, nephews and many other friends and extended family who come through time and again in her moments of need.
In her words “I love you all” and remember God’s Golden rule!
“Love thy neighbor as you love thyself.” Leviticus 19:18
Friends may call Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 11 a.m. to noon at The Burning Bush Church, 131 S High St, Akron, OH 44308. Funeral services will immediately follow at noon.