Barbara Ann Williams Aikens was the third of six children born to the late Blanche Beatrice Hardy and Perry McKinley Williams, Sr. on February 8, 1944 in Jacksonville, Florida. Barbara joined First Missionary Baptist Church at a young age. She attended Peck High School. She married her high school sweetheart and became a military wife. She traveled to many locations during their 29-year marriage. Three children were born to that union. Upon returning to Fernandina Beach, she united with First Baptist Church of Yulee, Florida where she was an active member and served as an usher, a deaconess and member of the Mission Ministry. Barbara faithfully attended Sunday School and Bible Study until her health began to fail. She loved to read, garden, frequent the movies and spend time with her family and grandchildren.
Barbara was employed as a bookkeeper, with stocks and bonds at the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. She later worked for 20 years as a Logistics Operator for the Sears Distribution Center at Imeson Park in Jacksonville, Florida. Barbara also worked as a General Merchandise Manager and Cashier with Winn Dixie for more than 20 years before retiring.
Barbara’s life-long fondness for travel began when she married and the couple headed to Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico. From there the young family journeyed to RAF (Royal Air Force) in Mildenhall, England. The next place they called home was Andrews AFB in Washington, D.C., followed by Patrick AFB in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Once Barbara was introduced to National Baptist Convention she decided that attendance at the convention was important to both her spiritual and personal growth. For a number of years Barbara attended the Convention wherever it was being held, including Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. So committed was she to this annual renewal of her faith that Barbara made sure her vacation time coincided with the National Convention dates each year.
Barbara is survived by her son, John Aikens III (Gloria) of Aurora, CO; daughters, Brenda A. Aikens-Walker (Clarence) and Jerelynn Natasha Aikens (Brad) of Fernandina Beach; five grandchildren, Ashley Cookes, (Denver, CO), Alyson Cookes (Aurora, CO), Alysha Aikens (Winnsboro, LA), Jaedynn Aikens-Lee and Taj Aikens-Lee of Fernandina Beach, FL; three great-grandchildren, Joseph Cookes-Campbell, Xavian Fuller and Anaiyah Campbell-Williams; also left to mourn her passing are her beloved siblings, Sandra Palmer (Hosea) of Yulee, FL, Willa Clarice Williams of Fernandina Beach, FL, Woodrow Bruce Williams (Drena) of Capital Heights, Maryland and Regina Gilbert of Miami, FL; sister-in-law, Eunice Williams (Perry Jr., deceased) and godson, Jamaal Benjamin, along with a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.
The funeral service for Barbara Ann Aikens will be held 11AM, Saturday, April 27th, 2019 at the First Baptist Church of Yulee 86584 Pinewood Drive Yulee, FL 32097. The visitation will be 5 - 7PM, Friday, April 26th, 2019 at the First Baptist Church of Yulee. Interment in Bosque Bello Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234