Barbara Rose Watley

Barbara Rose Watley Wooten “Big Mama” was born on July 2, 1943, in Kelly, Louisiana, to the late Clareither Burton Wooten and J.C. Wooten. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Eunice Gray and husband Elijah Gray and Peakola Nelson and husband, Royal Nelson; and one brother, James Wooten and wife, Mary Wooten.
Barbara was an astute student who enjoyed writing. Along with having a wonderful personality that everyone admired while in school, she was also very beautiful and won school pageants at her high school, Carroll High. She moved to Denver, Colorado, and later enrolled in college to study journalism in San Diego, California. Barbara loved poetry and had written hundreds of unpublished poems. She authored a book, “The Hidden Tears of My Heart,” which has been the center of many book club meetings. She had also written PSAs for local radio stations in her hometown of Monroe, Louisiana. She especially loved writing literature for her favorite political candidates.
Above all, Barbara’s love for God and her desire to be with him one day guided her throughout her life. She was taught the gospel of Christ while in San Diego, California, and soon was baptized, becoming a member of the church of Christ. She was a member of the King Oaks Church of Christ, as well as Marx Street Church of Christ, presently known as Parkview Drive Church of Christ. While she was able, no matter where she lived, you could always find her in a church pew each Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. She so much enjoyed holding Bible study, attending revivals, and traveling with her brothers and sisters in Christ to lectureships.
She had a passion for cooking and fishing. She would many times cook and clean houses for any seniors who were in need. She believed in waking early to make sure her children and grandchildren had a nice breakfast cooked for them. People in her community would often times come by to get some of her delicious pralines, a talent she picked up during her brief stay in New Orleans. She was very crafty and would make hats, shawls, and crafts for her family members and friends.
Barbara Watley loved family and had eight children, Johnathan Adams of Virginia, Delia R. Watley of Texas, Robert L. Meeks of Arkansas, Henry L. Cooper of Texas, Dewayne Wooten of Louisiana, James Carter of Texas, Rueben P. Watley of Louisiana, and Saranne Lyons (deceased); 13 grandchildren, Michael, Artisha, LaBradford, Henry, Jr., Johnathan, Jr., Dalvin, Makia, Maniah, Elias, Jamison, Gerald, Christopher, and Vincent; 13 great-grandchildren; four nieces, Trevena, Eulunda, Evette Catrina, and Joyce; a special godchild, Valencia; and seven nephews, Trent, Jimmy, Bruce, Leroy, Alvin, Hubert, and Patrick.

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