Queenia M. Barbee's Obituary
Queenia “Queenie” Mae Barbee, 78 of Springfield, Illinois passed away peacefully on
December 22, 2021. She was born March 4, 1943, in Henning, Tennessee to
Israel Williams Sr. and Rosie Mae Green Williams. She married the love of her
life, Major Wyman Barbee on July 26, 1963. She was preceded in death by her
parents, her beloved husband, as well as three sisters, Daisy, Mildred and Idelia;
and two brothers, David and Israel Jr.
Queenia was the sixth of fifteen children. She was a natural-born leader and
force of nature. She performed many selfless acts of service and leadership
throughout her life, starting at a young age. When she was just seventeen years
old, she became the primary caregiver to her eight younger siblings, including
her newborn sister Shelbra, after their mother passed away unexpectedly in
1960. During this period she continued to attend Lauderdale High School in
Ripley, Tennessee and graduated in 1961.
After marrying her husband, Major, they relocated to Springfield, Illinois to start a
new life, three months after they wed. Soon after, all the younger siblings that
she had helped raise decided to join her there. Leaving the South provided her
and Major with better opportunities and they quickly started building a solid
foundation for their family. Queenia was employed by the Illinois Department of
Central Management Services (CMS) as an Account Tech III for twenty-eight
years before retiring in 2001. Major was employed by Fiat-Allis for twenty-three
years and the City of Springfield for sixteen years before retiring in 2002.
Queenia was a dedicated member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and enjoyed
singing in the choir. Along with singing in the choir, she also enjoyed attending
Bible Study and Sunday School. She had many friends there and loved the
church community.
She loved cooking and baking, and she could win anyone over with her famous
Sweet Iced-Tea. As much as she loved cooking, she loved bringing her friends
and family together for big Sunday dinners.
Among Queenia’s most admirable qualities, was her ability to provide good
advice and support to family and friends. She was a motherly figure to many and
had a one-of-a-kind personality. She was a fierce defender of those she loved
and one of her favorite jokes illustrating that was, “If you ever see me fighting
with a bear, you better be sure to help the bear!” The memory of her tough but
nurturing spirit will be cherished by all her friends and family for the rest of our
lives and we’ll remember her as an extraordinary example of how to put your
family first, and how to treat others with kindness, love, and respect.
She leaves behind the following family and a lifetime of memories that we’ll
cherish: two daughters ~ Beverly and Jodi of Springfield, Illinois; a son ~ Dexter
Sr. of Texas; ten grandchildren ~ Parker (Marcus) of California, Shyla, LaQuisha,
and Jodeci all of Springfield, Anaz, Dexter Jr. and Bishop all of Tampa Florida,
Brianna, Roderick, and Sequohya, all of Houston, Texas; six great-grandchildren
~ Anastasia, No’ell, Israel, Malaysia, (DJ) Darrell and Journi, all of Springfield;
one god-daughter ~ Diamond; five sisters ~ Ida M. Pilgrim of Memphis,
Tennessee, Gase Tyler, Minnie B. Williams, Linda J. Bailey, and Shelbra R.
Williams all of Springfield; four brothers ~ George Williams of Chicago, Illinois,
Lee Edward Williams, Leroy (Monica) Williams, and Napoleon Williams all of
Springfield; seven sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law and lots of cousins,
nieces, nephews and many friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Queenia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Queenia?
Share a story where Queenia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Queenia you’ll never forget.
How did Queenia make you smile?