In Loving Memory of Barbara E. Daniel

Barbara Elaine Daniel was born April 1st, 1951, in Seattle, WA to the union of Robert Williams of Seattle, WA and Rosalie Lavendar of Denver, Co. She was the middle of 3 girls, Sharon and Jacqueline (Imworthy) Williams. Barbara lived her entire life in Seattle, growing up in the Central District at 28th & Yesler and later in the Mt Baker neighborhood. She was a self-proclaimed tomboy as a kid, spending many days with her sisters, many cousins, and a myriad of friends in Seattle’s close-knit Black community. She attended John Muir Elementary School, Asa Mercer Middle School, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1969. It was in high school when she met & married her high school sweetheart Billy Conner to which they had a son, Robert. Several years later she was remarried to Albert Dean Clark to which they had a son, Albert. In 1981, Barbara became a born-again Christian giving her life to Christ and studying the word of God diligently. She was baptized at Rainier Temple Church by Rev HL Woods and served as a deaconess in the church for many years. She found lifelong friendships and sisters in Christ that would give her strength through many of life’s challenges. Her dedication to Christ and living her life under the word of God was apparent as she always had a scripture to instill to her family and to her boys. No matter what they faced in life she was a stringent supporter of them both and mindful to allow Gods hands to guide them in their path. In 1994, Barbara met her loving husband, Howard C. Daniel, whom she had known growing up. They quickly fell in love and were married in January 27, 1996. It was Howard who brought a stability, calm, and safe structure for Barbara to live her life confidently and trusting that her walk through life was not alone. Howard’s love for Barbara is paramount and their union blessed 24 years strong. They were inseparable and he exposed Barbara to his love for calmness, consistency, and love unconditionally. He even got her to go fishing.

Barbara was a giver and strident advocate for many others, friends, family, and strangers alike. Her fiery demeanor was channeled through a deep love to help others where they could not help themselves. If you had Barbara on your team, she was going to fight for you and your success to the end. She found herself advocating for loved ones many times over as they faced life and health challenges. Barbara’s balance was achieved through a loving sprit, sense of humor and laughter, and a love for fashion. She was always there to “tell it like it is”, crack a quick joke to lighten the mood, and certainly never left the house without ensuring she had her outfit right, her hair fixed, and looking “sharp as a tack!” It was an expression of her personality. In all of this, she loved all her family tremendously and enjoyed spending much time with her elders, her cousins, nieces, and nephews. They each had a special place in her heart, and she loved to make them all smile with the many stories of growing up and loving life.

Barbara was a tireless worker, providing for her 2 boys. She raised them with determination, discipline, and grace as a single mom, ensuring that they never did without and always having a comforting home to return to. She worked at several local companies; Darigold, Foremost, Coca-Cola, and Boeing. It was at Boeing where she spent most of her career, working at the many plants throughout the Puget Sound before retiring in 2011. In retirement, her and Howard found renewed time to enjoy life together; just the 2 of them and their precious dog, Shai. They enjoyed eating out, traveling, spending time with their grandchildren, and working tirelessly on their home in Kent and relaxing on the deck on a peaceful day with Shai at their side. It was at her home where she found her passionate hobby in gardening and tending to her yard. In this time Barbara found peace in life.

Barbara received her heavenly wings to be with the Lord on October 24th, 2021. She was preceded in death by her guiding Grandmother Margaret Lavendar; her parents, Robert & Rosalie Williams, her sisters Sharon Ballard & Imworthy Reese, and her son Robert Conner. She is survived by her devoted husband Howard & his son Howard Jr; her remaining son Albert (Jessica) and 2 granddaughters Leona Elaine and Camille Clark; her grandson’s Jemar Conner, Rochon Bhattacharya, Robert Conner Jr, and Gabriel Conner; her loving nieces and nephews: David and Lisa Ballard, Rosalie, Antonio, and Lovee Flood and Leilani, Joshua, and Michelle Reese; and many more great nieces, nephews, and friends. She is truly missed and will be dearly remembered by all.