Barbara Ann Wade

Barbara Ann Wade On Thursday, August 19, 2010 of Bowie, MD. Devoted wife of John David Wade, Sr.; loving mother of Margaret Alice Burke and her husband Kenneth, Jr., John David Wade, Jr. and his wife Julie, Cheryl Ann Carr and her husband Kenneth, Sr., and Richard R. Wade and his wife Kristina; sister of Doris Shives, Linda Knott, Janet Marsh, and June Bonifer; grandmother of 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Family will receive friends at the family-owned BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Hwy., Bowie, MD on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 from 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm, where a Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 1:00pm. Interment, Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. Barbara Ann was born in Indian Head, Maryland on January 26, 1938 to Robert and Margaret Knott. Her mother died unexpectedly when Barbara was only 13 and her sisters, Doris and Linda, were 18 and 5, respectively. Attempting to give his daughters a stable family, Robert remarried and instantly expanded their little family to include a new sister and a brother. Over the years, two more half sisters, Janet and June, were happily welcomed into the family. Barbara grew up in Indian Head when times were simpler and the community was close-knit. During her teenage years, Barbara frequently turned to her maternal grandmother for comfort and guidance. Her high school class consisted of 20 students. In 2005, they celebrated their 50th reunion, which was well attended. Barbara met John, the younger brother of the sheriff of Indian Head, growing up in this small community. After high school, Barbara married John David Wade on October 15, 1955. They lived in Indian Head, then moved to Delaware, then Mississippi, and finally set down roots in 1966 when they bought a brand new home for $15,990 in Bowie, Maryland, which they own to this day. Over the years, Barbara lovingly presented John with four beautiful babies, Alice, John, Cheryl, and Richard. During this time she also welcomed 23 foster children into their home, two of which the family later adopted. For her willingness to take on the most difficult children and turn their lives around, both socially and academically, by treating them "as one of the family," Barbara received numerous accommodations from various state agencies. When her two youngest children were school aged, Barbara started a career with Sears. She worked the jewelry counter for many years and would buy pieces that caught her eye as she watched them marked down to deep clearance prices. Eventually, Barbara moved on to store management and successfully trained many others who would move on to manage other stores. She retired in 1996 after 26 years of service with Sears. Barbara loved to do crafts of all sorts. She would make everything from Christmas tree ornaments to centerpieces to three-dimensional pictures to hang on the wall. Sewing and quilting were two things that she enjoyed greatly. Babara was an exquisite seamstress and would make everything from the most elaborate gowns for the bridal party and special party dresses right down to little Barbie clothes for her granddaughters. I know that she has instilled the crafting and sewing bug in one of her daughters and at least one of her granddaughter, as well! When Barbara wasn't sewing, she could be found sitting in her chair by the television reading. Alternatively, when the weather was pleasant, she would sit and read on the back porch where she could enjoy her flowers and the birds, along with the antics of the squirrels and chipmunks. She was a voracious reader and would frequently trade and pass books back and forth with friends, co-workers, and family. In the later years, Barbara would add doll collecting and the computer into her list of favorite ways to pass the time. She amassed quite an impressive doll collection via Ebay without spending a great deal of money. She very much enjoyed playing games on the computer but also found that it was a great way to reconnect with family and old friends, as well as make new ones. And finally, Barbara loved to shop! She would always find the bargain. She could be seen coming out of the craft stores with miscellaneous bits pieces that were on clearance that would leave you scratching your head as to what she was going to do with it all. Eventually, she would find a use for it all, and it all looked fabulous. Barbara would enjoy taking the grandchildren and great-grandchildren around to the local garage sales and dollar stores. She found joy in watching the little ones' faces light up when they came upon various "treasures" they just couldn't do without. Barbara was generous with her time and her gifts. She has touched the lives of so many people. Barbara, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, we miss you.