Barbara Ann Mabrey

Barbara Ann Mabrey, 71, of South Haven, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2020 at the Graceway at Countryside Nursing Home in South Haven.  She was born June 4, 1949, to Francis (Stevenson) and Frederick Davis in Mobile, Alabama.  She and her family continued the great migration from the South to the North and ended up in Oakland, California in 1959.
Barbara married Joseph Mabrey and to that union, six children were born; Darrell Mabrey, Sean Mabrey, Joseph Mabrey, Twins, Charles and Charlesetta Mabrey and Dellane Mabrey.
While raising a family, she worked as a telephone operator for the San Francisco Giants.  She raised a family on modest means, in a difficult time, during a pandemic of poverty on the East side of inner- city Oakland.  This, in and of itself was a huge feat and accomplishment.
After one of the most horrific massacres in the history of Oakland, Barbara took up her grandson, Dexter and moved to Holland, Michigan.
She joined Maple Avenue Ministries in Holland, Michigan and was a faithful member.  While in Holland, she worked for Holland Hospital in housekeeping as well as a cashier.
Barbara married Michael Jones in June of 1999 at Maple Avenue Ministries in Holland, Michigan.  They shared 13 years of marriage.
Barbara Ann Mabrey loved to laugh and listen to music.  She had a green thumb for gardening and would name and talk to her plants.  Her plants abundantly adorned her home and the churches she attended.  She was a longtime member at Maple Avenue Church in Holland, Michigan where she participated in The Ladies Club, prayer meetings and faithfully volunteered at the Maple Avenue Church Recreational Program, affectionately known as MAC-REC.
She loved family visits and learning new things about her great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by both parents, Francis and Frederick Davis; her husband, Michael Jones; children, Darnell Mabrey, Sean Mabrey, Joseph Mabrey, Twins Charles and Charlesetta Mabrey and Dellane Mabrey; and a brother, Charles Davis of California.
She leaves to champion her legacy, her pride and joy, Dexter (Jamesha) Mabrey of South Haven, Michigan; great grandchildren; Michael Mabrey, Khorus Potts, Josiah Mabrey; and sister, Bernice Davis of California.
The wake will be held from 1:00 P.M.- 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven, Michigan.  Funeral Services will follow at 2:00 P.M. with Minister C.J. Kingdom-Grier officiating at the funeral home.