The Life of Barbara Jean Gallops
Barbara Jean Gallops was born on December 3, 1933, in Shamrock, Florida, the daughter of the late Willie and Zebra Mae Giles. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. Barbara's professional life was spent in service to others as a social worker for several local and City of Philadelphia-managed social services organizations, including the Mayor's Office of Community Services, the Philadelphia Anti-Poverty Action Commission, Mercy Douglas Hospital, Stenton Child Care Center and the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, from which she retired. Barbara had a passion for her Wynnefield Heights community and was an advocate for neighborhood safety and zoning. She will be remembered for her love of food, fashion, flowers and travel, taking many memorable trips throughout the years with loved ones. She was a warm and caring friend who helped many with professional, financial and child-rearing advice. She was a proud cat owner over the years and volunteered her time and resources to several animal shelters and humane societies. In her later years, after being diagnosed with cancer, she supported the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She now joins her son, Stephen and second husband, Thomas Gallops, in eternal peace. She departed this life on Thursday, August 7, 2014. She leaves to cherish her memory one granddaughter, Cheryl Overton; two first cousins, Charles Bailey and Caroline Kearney; her beloved cat Neo; and a host of loved ones and friends.