Homegoing Celebration: The Life and Legacy of Barbara Ann O’Cain
“Barb Ann”

Sister Barbara Ann O’Cain was born on January 14, 1947 to the union of the late Joe L. O’Cain and the late Gladys O’Cain in Mobile, Alabama; and, was taken to eternal rest on November 21, 2018.

Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? Proverbs 20:6 NIV Barbara was a faithful member of Amity Missionary Baptist Church, previously under the leadership of the late Reverend Horace Young, and currently under the leadership of Reverend Jeffrey Mackie. Barbara served on the Hospitality Committee at her church for many years. She was also a member of the Women’s Federated Club in the Mobile area.
Barbara was a graduate of the Class of 1965 of Central High School, Mobile, Alabama. Barbara loved to cook and worked as a dietitian for many years; and retired from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Department.
Barbara Ann, affectionately known as Barb Ann, loved the Lord, her church, her family, and her friends. She possessed a profoundly warm, wise and caring spirit, offering love and encouragement to everyone she met. Barb Ann would relate the safe haven offered by her favorite scripture, The 23rd Psalm, to her family and friends, advising them to look to it during all walks of life. Barb Ann loved and appreciated the gift of kinship; she loved her family and encouraged her family to always be loving and close, just as she had experienced growing up.
Barb Ann passed on her love for cooking not only through her work but also to her family, passing down family recipes for making chicken dressing, caramel cake, and other delicious foods. Barb Ann loved her family so much so that she inspired the family to set up the McMillan & Brown Family Reunion group in 2016.
Barb Ann was a woman of grace and virtue, rearing her children in the ways of our Lord, loving her children and grandchildren while teaching them to love, being patient, sharing acts of kindness, having a forgiving and caring heart, as she lived her life glorifying the Name of the Lord. The closeness that she shared and engaged with her family and friends was contagious, welcoming everyone with a
true sense of belonging, a bond that will last eternally. Her children arise and call
her “Blessed”.

Barbara was preceded in death by her loving aunts and uncles: Eddie (Thelma) Autrey, Wilbert Autrey, Lomac Autrey, David Autrey, Jies Autrey, Marie Butler, Zelma Moorer, Mandy O’Cain, Johnny O’Cain, Nathaniel O’Cain, and Bill Lambert. Barbara was also preceded in death by her godbrother, John Allen.

Barbara leaves to cherish sweet and loving memories of her: two devoted children, Christon J. O’Cain, Mobile, AL, and Tracie, O’Cain, Jacksonville, FL; four loving and devoted grandchildren, Brandon O’Cain, Armardi O’Cain, Areona O’Cain, all of Atlanta, GA, and Asya O’Cain, Mobile, AL; seven devoted great grandchildren, Za’Yaughna, Zayda Lynn and Brandon II, all of Houston, TX, Ahman, Kaisyn, Kayleigh and Kylie, all of Atlanta, GA; three devoted brothers, J.C. O’Cain, Israel O’Cain, and Torroce (Deneane) O’Cain, all of Mobile, AL; two devoted sisters, Vanessa L. O’Cain and Fran O’Cain Jackson, both of Atlanta, GA; three devoted aunts, Georgia Mae Lambert and Marilyn Autrey, both of Mobile, AL, and, Beulah O’Cain, Panama City, FL; two devoted uncles, Willie O’Cain and Daniel (Ann) O’Cain, both of Atmore, AL; loving nieces and nephews, Andre, Bridgett, Israel II (Tyesha), Carin (Daryl), Isha, Tarryn (LaDarius), Torroce Jr., Darryl II, Mariel, and Cedric (Shay); one adopted great grandchild, Dru Marcus Shepard; three godchildren, Tameka Brown, Chico Brown and Cedric Brown; and, a host of great nieces, great nephews, other cousins and relatives.

Also, Barbara leaves to cherish her memory: one devoted sister-in-law, Deneane O’Cain; one special granddaughter who was also her caregiver, Armardi O’Cain; one special and devoted friend, Sharon Agee; and, loving and supportive friends and neighbors, Debra, Mary, Voncille, Mary Jo, Linda-Faye, Rosetta, Doris, Gwen, Virginia, Robert, Jennifer, Cap, Ms. McKnight, Ms. Gussie, the McMillan Family, members of the Women’s Federated Club, and a host of others.

The viewing of the body will take place at Small’s Funeral Home located at 950 South Broad Street, Mobile, AL 36603 on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. The funeral will be held at Amity Missionary Baptist Church located at 2451 St. Stephens Road, Mobile, AL 36617 on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Viewing), 11:00 AM (Funeral Service immediately
following Viewing), The Repast will be held following the funeral service at Amity Missionary Baptist Church.

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