Adelia "Dee" Huff Barber's Obituary
Adelia “Dee” Huff Barber was born July 5, 1917, in Fairmont, West Virginia. Dee died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her children at the home of her son, Mark Barber, in San Diego on August 27, 2014.
Dee was twelve years old when the stock market crashed, leading to the Great Depression. In 1939, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and her teaching certificate from the University of West Virginia. During WWII, Dee was a rehabilitation volunteer with the Red Cross, at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, where she met and after a two-week whirlwind courtship, married John Paul Barber in 1947. Their marriage lasted 44 years, until John’s death in 1991.
In 1954, Dee and John moved their young family to Oakland, California. They loved the Bay Area. Dee taught physical education, geography and math for 29 years. She retired from the Oakland Unified School District in 1976. During her long retirement, Dee traveled the world several times over, first with her husband and, after John’s death, with her dear friend, Sol Rubin.
Dee loved smooth dancing, playing bridge and socializing with her wonderful longtime friends. She was a member of the Alta Mira Club, Sons of Norway and the Galileo Club, where she enjoyed many good times.
Dee is the mother of and survived by two sons, John Paul Barber, II, and Mark Huff Barber and the grandmother of Brenna Barber and Russell Prewitt. Dee is also survived by Paul’s wife, Christina Barber, and Mark’s wife, Vicki Lynne Barber. At the age of 92, Dee wrote a memoir of her fascinating life, entitled “Many Lessons.”
A viewing will be held at the Chapel of The Chimes on Piedmont Avenue, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2014. Services to be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6th at the same location.
What’s your fondest memory of Adelia?
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Share a story where Adelia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Adelia you’ll never forget.
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