Barbara Jo McCorkle's Obituary
Barbara Jo McCorkle was born February 15,1946 in Jackson, Tennessee.
She was the youngest of five siblings. As a child, she had an active mind and developed several interests including international travel. She developed her interest in traveling as a youngster and later became a world traveler as an adult. Initially, her travel interest developed while reading books about other countries while in elementary school.
Barbara's travel and other interest continued into adulthood. She was blessed to have travelled to 6 of the 7 world continents (Except Antarctica). She visited 4 of the Wonders of the Ancient World and 3 Natural Wonder of the World. These travel experiences broadened and enriched her world view, as well as enhance her perceptions of other countries.
Volunteerism was an interest which grew and developed as a youngster. She was an active member and volunteer at the Historic First Baptist Church in her hometown. Barbara was a participant in numerous church programs such as youth choir, youth ushers and Baptist Training Union (BTU). She volunteered in community events such as Voter Registration Outreach, Civil Rights Marches and the National Association of the Colored People (NAACP). She served as a student library volunteer for four years during her high school year at Merry High School.
Barbara's interest in volunteerism continued into the adulthood. She volunteered at her San Diego neighborhood public library for 10 years. She was a Lifetime Member of The Friends of San Diego Public Library. She became a member of the San Diego Black Nurses Association, Inc. (SDBNA) in 1984. Barbara was an active member of SDBNA and served in leadership positions. Barbara especially enjoyed serving on the SDBNA Annual Prayer Breakfast Committee. She was a Lifetime Member of the National Black Nurses Association, the parent organization of SDBNA.
Church attendance and participation were an important part of Barbara's life from childhood throughout adulthood. Barbara became a member of Bayview Baptist Church in 1980 when she moved to San Diego. Finding a church home in San Diego was a priority. She served on Bayview Scholarship for over 10 years, as well as Silver Strands Ministry. She was a faithful church school participant and volunteered willingly at Bayview, as needed.
Professionally, Barbara's dream was to become a registered nurse as a child. She achieved her career goal by becoming a Register Nurse in 1970 after training at Harper Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit, MI. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1978 and a master's degree in nursing in 1980 from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Barbara was most proud of her employment with the CA Department of Public Health (CDPH) in San Diego CA She worked 23 years as a Health Facilities Evaluator Nurse for the (CDPA) with retirement occurring in 2010. This CDPH employment role enable Barbara and her co-workers to ensure health care recipients received quality health care and services.
Barbara family included biological relatives an extended family, non-relatives. Barbara's parents were James Eugen Sr. and Mildred Davis McCorkle, who preceded her in death on October 19, 1974, and June 9th, 1997, respectively James Eugene Jr., Barbara's oldest brother, precede her in death on May 15th, 1992. Dolores Giles, her oldest sister, preceded her in death on April 28, 2015, Albert, the fourth sibling, preceded her in death on July 1, 1992. Barbara Jo, the fifth and youngest child passed away on August 5, 2025. Surviving family members are Irma Ballard of Memphis, Tennessee and her son Edwin Ballard. Alice Robinson Dugger, a beloved and now decease great-aunt, instilled in Barbara many Christian values which endured a lifetime.
Barbara was blessed with many wonderful friends throughout her life. Each friend was a joy who truly enriched her life. Barbara's friends were her extended family members. The relationships with family, friend and church members were very significant.
Barbara Jo McCorkle was blessed with fulfilling a productive life. Her faith in God was consistently a guiding presence. Faith, Prayerfulness, and positive attitude, and perseverance were attributes she endeavored to emulate. A favorite Bible verse was Romans8:28. The verse is ""And we know that for those who loved God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" . God's goodness and grace were manifest throughout Barbara's life.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Bayview Baptist Church located at 6126 Pastor Timothy J. Winters Street, San Diego, CA 92114 on September 16, 2025, at 10:00am.
In lieu of flowers, Friends and Family of Barbara are requesting monetary donation be made in her memory to San Diego Black Nurse Association, P.O. 740008, San Diego, CA 92174 or Bayview Baptist Church, 6126 Pastor Timothy J. Winter Street, San Diego CA 92114.
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