Barbara Ann Tarver, who worked in Baltimore schools as a teacher and assistant principal for more than three decades, died Aug. 22 from injuries sustained in a two-car crash early that morning on Interstate 70. She was 61.
Ms. Tarver was born, raised and educated in Baltimore. She graduated from Western High School in 1966 and earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from what is now Coppin State University, where she joined the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. in 1970.
A few years later, she received a master's degree from the same school, remembers friend Ann Ezell.
"She loved people; she never met a stranger," Ms. Ezell said.
They met in 1974, as young teachers at Beechfield Elementary School, and became close, socializing and raising their children together. Ms. Tarver's daughter, Joi Myles, was the center of her life, Ms. Ezell said.
Ms. Tarver also taught at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and Garrison Middle School, Ms. Ezell said. She last worked at a school in West Baltimore's Lafayette Square before her retirement about three years ago.
Her fashion sense skewed toward loud colors and bold, glittery jewelry that matched her personality, Ms. Ezell said. She loved to read, complete word search puzzles and mentor city students through various after-school programs.
And Ms. Tarver continued to challenge herself, receiving an "Aspiring Leadership" certificate from the Johns Hopkins University, family members said.
Funeral services were held Saturday at the St. John AME Church.
Besides her daughter, Ms. Tarver is survived by a sister, Joella Malone, and her father, Henry Tarver, all of Baltimore.
tricia.bishop@baltsun.com
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