Barbara "Bob" Turnley (Baton Rouge, La)

Barbara “Bob” Jean Turnley crossed over from her earthly home to her heavenly home on July 20, 2020 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was born in New Orleans. Louisiana on December 25, 1950 to Israel Boatner Turnley DeGree and Walter Turnley, Jr.

Barbara moved with her family to Michigan at an early age and attended Lansing School District schools. She later married the late Herbert L. Washington and from that union had 2 sons, Rodrick Dwayne and Herbert Terrill. Barbara was employed by the State of Michigan prior to her move to Louisiana. Missing Louisiana, Barbara returned to Baton Rouge where she spent the next 30 years cultivating relationships with family and friends. Barbara was an active member of First Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Henry J. Brown. She was the Pastors Aide ministry secretary. Barbara loved to cook and spend time at home with her family members. Desinthia Barry wants you to remember her sister’s energetic spirit and her love of dancing. Desinthia says Barbara “would tell it like it is.”

She leaves to cherish her memories her sons, Herbert T. (Melanie) Washington and Rodrick Delwayne Washington; grandchildren, Talisha, Brandon, Taiwon, Demarco, Monea, Alexis, Trisha, Arianna, Domanic, Noelle, Rodrick, Jr., Jeremiah, Lorenzo and Denail; mother, Israel M. DeGree; siblings, Althea (Wavely) Jones, Ronald (Sandra) Turnley, Desinthia (Tennison) Barry, and Dave Jermaine (Tiffany) DeGree; her longtime companion, Darrell Wayne Smith; special niece, Yonni Boatner and great niece, Z’riyah Boatner; aunts and uncles, James (Karen) Harris, Carol B. Wilson, Gerald (Sandra) Boatner, and Gloria Ferguson (Anthony Kennedy); many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Turnley, Jr.; grandson, Tyreek R. Washington; maternal grandmother, Ivory D. Boatner; paternal grandparents, Walter Turnley, Sr., Bertha Bush, step-grandfather, Edward Bush; brother, Israel Boatner, Sr.; stepfather, Dave J. Degree; aunts, Mildred Harris and Shirley A. Boatner; uncles, Israel Boatner, Jr. and Gregory Boatner.