Ollie Barefield

Dr. Ollie Delores Solomon Barefield's life experiences were rewarding, challenging and self-fulfilling from her early childhood until her heavenly transition. She was always highly favored by God and was indeed a rare jewel and loved by all who came in contact with her. Dr. Barefield was born on December 19, 1930, in Teague, Texas to her parents, John Solomon and Sallie Brown Solomon. She was the youngest of seven children born in the family. She received her early education by attending the Freestone County Public School System, located in her home of Teague, Texas. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where she was the Valedictorian of the class of 1947. She furthered her education by attending the Samuel Huston College located in Austin, Texas; earning a Bachelor of Science Degree and graduating Magna Cum Laude. She earned an Administrative Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. On March 2, 2013, she was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the Denver Institute of Urban Studies and Adult College. Dr. Barefield united in holy matrimony to Reverend H.B. Barefield on January 15, 1957. The couple first met in 1955. To this union, a son, John Anthony Barefield was born. She was now a wife, mother, educator and First Lady. She carried herself as a woman of style and grace. The love she held for her son was both unconditional and never ending. She was able to show and pass that same love on to every child in her classroom. Her love of God, her Pastor, and the church family was indicative of a true Christian with a foundation centered around love. Dr. Barefield was a born leader and a first in many endeavors. She and Reverend Barefield were married for over 35 years when he preceded her in death in 1992. Dr. Barefield's career as an educator has span for over 54 years. She loved children and she served as a role model for many. Her demeanor was one of elegance with a high level of class that distinguished her as a lady with a mission and a vision. She served as Principal of Whittier Elementary School for over 19 years, and John Amesse for 6 years in the Montbello Area. She has received numerous awards for her dedication some of which include: • Denver Public School Teacher of the Year • Denver Public School Principal's Merit Award • Black Women for Political Action Award • Founder of Minister's Wives and Widows Leadership Conference, Colorado State • City Councilman's Activist Award • The Juanita Gray Award • Past Vice President of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Denver Alumnae • Who's Who In Colorado • Consultant for the Denver Public Schools, Department of Elementary Education She was also an activist, receiving many awards for her civic, community and religious work. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Dr. Barefield was an active member of Emmanuel Christian Center, under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Alvin Simpkins. She truly enjoyed sharing with her church family as she continued to serve the Lord in spirit and in truth. Dr. Barefield was a woman who was loving, compassionate, humble, humorous, and kind. She leaves a void that can never be filed. To know Dr. Barefield was to love her. Dr. Ollie Delores Solomon Barefield departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on May 7, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her loving and devoted son, John Anthony Barefield of Denver; her great nephew, Sean (Shannon) Solomon of Aurora; her goddaughter, Ruby Rae Jackson of Lancaster, Texas; her devoted friend, Mary A. (Kenneth) Ray of Bossier City, LA and a host of other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 5/8/2015 - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 5/14/2015 at 12:00 PM Graveside Service Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO
Service: 5/13/2015 at 6:30 PM Omega Omega Service Wednesday Evening at 6:30pm Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 5/14/2015 at 12:00 PM - Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO