Barbara Jean Holsey

Barbara Jean Holsey

Sunrise: August 2, 1940                                                                                                                                                                                                            Sunset: July 28, 2020

Barbara, fondly called Jean, was born to Croger Beale Lampkin and Clara Matilda Lampkin in Detroit, Michigan on August 2, 1940.  She was the oldest of two children from this union.

Jean was educated in the Detroit Public Schools District and graduated in 1957 from Northern Senior High School at the age of 17.  She was an active member of the Northern Jayhawks Alumni.  Jean continued her education at the Detroit College of Business in Highland Park, Michigan, graduating with a certificate in data entry.

On July 26, 1968, Barbara joined Cleveland Holsey Sr. in marriage. This blessed union lasted 32 wonderful years, with Cleveland proceeding her in death on March 31, 2000.

Jean believed that a woman could become anything with “drive and dedication.”  She started her working career as a shampoo girl at the age of 14.  As she watched the beauticians, she decided to start her own business in her basement doing a press and curl for fifty cents.   In 1959 she was employed at Al’s Jewelry and Loan on Oakland Ave and later, R.L Polk.  She began her employment with the Detroit Public Schools District (DPS) in 1967 as a paraprofessional with the Great Schools Initiative at Palmer Elementary School. 

Jean saw the advantages of being in a union and became one of the founding executive board members for Local 2350.  Jean served as its first vice-president and 8 years as the second president of the local.  One of the highlights of her tenure was securing educational funding for paraprofessionals to obtain their teaching certification at no cost, along with full medical and life insurance for all members of the local.  At the end of her tenure, Detroit Federation was the second largest union in the State of Michigan with 3500 strong. In addition, Jean was a union organizer for the American Federation of Teachers where she traveled the country organizing local unions.  Jean retired from DPS at Hutchins Middle School after 30 plus years of dedication to Detroit students. 

Jean made her transition to God’s Mansion on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.  She leaves to mourn her passing, four children: Rochelle, Catherine, Leslie and Cleveland Jr.; five grandchildren: Robert, Cedric, Dwight, Bianca and Arthur; fifteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

A message from Heaven

An angel gets its wings from the love of their family and friends.  I am sending you this message from heaven to say thank you, you sent me home in style.  Now take the love you gave to me and spread it all around.  I will see you when you get here! May God Bless you, and keep his loving, protective arms around you.  From Jean, Grandma & Friend.

Jean

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