Obituary of Barbara S Cambridge

On the 30th of October 1938, Barbara Evaughn Samuels Cambridge was born to Thomas Hayes Samuels and Lorretta Roberts Samuels. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Eugene Cambridge in 1974. Her father and mother preceded her in death. Her twin brother and only sibling, Billy D. Samuels, preceded her in death in August 2019. Barbara was privileged to have two children: Gene Cambridge and Gianni Latrelle Cambridge and three grandchildren, Zachary Cambridge Haynes, Blake Cambridge and Andrew Cambridge. She also had a loving relationship with her daughter-in-Love, Tamiko Syrie Cambridge. Theirs was a close-knit family full of laughter, fun and travel experiences. Growing up in Augusta, GA, Barbara attended Silas X. Floyd Elementary School and graduated from Lucy C. Laney High School. In high school, she was a cheerleader and in the Debate Club. Barbara attended North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, NC, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. This is where she met her future husband, Gene. In 1962, She received a Master of Social Work degree from The Atlanta College in Atlanta, GA. A Ph.D. in Sociology from Golden State University in Golden State, CA was conferred on her in 1983. She was a Certified Life Coach. In 1962, Barbara and Gene moved to Dallas. There, she became involved in the life of the city, weaving her-God given talents and abilities into the fabric of the life of the people in Dallas and surrounding communities. Barbara’s Christian walk began at Bethel AME Church in Augusta, GA and served in the Missionary Society. After moving to Dallas, TX, she and her family were members of St. Philips Episcopal Church and Epiphany Episcopal Church. She was a long-time member of St. George’s Episcopal Church. At St. George’s, Barbara was a member of the Vestry, Choir, a founding member of the Beckley Senior Connection and served on the board and numerous committees of the Episcopal Dioceses of Dallas. For the past 13 years, she has been a faithful member of Friendship West Baptist Church where she supported the founding of the counseling center. She was pleased that her children were involved in church and religious activities and were regular in attendance for worship and service to the church and the community. In 1957, Barbara became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated through Alpha Phi Chapter on the campus of North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, NC. It was in 2007 that Barbara became a Golden Member of the Sorority. She was a Life Member who exhibited a keen interest in all programs that improved the lives of girls and women. Beginning in 1980, she was involved in the following committees and programs of Alpha Xi Omega Chapter: Economic Empowerment, Camp Jubilee, Encounters’ Youth Group, Scholarship, Protocol, Membership, Fashionetta, the Choraliers, Voter Registration, the Black Family and HBCU for Life #CAP. Other community involvement included The Dallas Summit and membership in the NAACP. Barbara was a social worker, psychotherapist, certified personal life coach, author, lecturer, consultant, storyteller, and trailblazer. Her first trail led to Hope Cottage where she began her social work career. She then moved to UT Southwestern Medical Center in 1969, and became the first African-American faculty member – an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. She directed a family planning program for 12 years and worked on a wide range of services for women and their families before retiring from an exemplary academic career in 2013. As a national and international lecturer and trainer, Barbara provided education and training for schools, community groups and religious and nonprofit organizations for more than 35 years. Her areas of training expertise included: ethics, interpersonal relationships, grief recovery, stress and time management, communications, self esteem building, customer relations, women in the work force, effective parenting, and strategic planning. Her passion and interests in the development and enhancement of self-esteem in children, girls and women spanned her entire career. Barbara was a writer, story teller and motivator. She was a highly sought-after speaker and trainer. In 1987, Barbara published her first book, “And This I Know,” a book of affirmations for children. The second book, “BELOVED,” a colorful illustrated book of affirmations, presented a serious message for children and those who loved and cared for them. It was published in August, 2006. Barbara’s trails off campus were equally notable as she devoted her endless volunteer energy to numerous community boards and committees, especially for those organizations that fed, housed, educated, empowered, protected, and provided healthcare to low income women and children. Barbara had a particular passion and concern for the women with HIV/AIDS, and she went down the path that few were willing to walk in the mid-1980’s. She rejected the fear, ignorance, and exclusionary behavior of the times and instead facilitated the longest continually operating support group of women with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. for 11 years. And, she helped launch what is today a successful nonprofit organization with many components, many clients, and many supporters – AIDS Arms. She gave unselfish of her service to a significant number of nonprofit boards. Barbara received numerous awards for her expertise, contributions and commitment to the enhancement and empowerment of women, especially women of color and women with limited educational and financial resources. Among those honors included: Women Helping Women (1990), The Women’s Center; Texas Social Worker of the Year (1993), Texas National Alliance of Social Workers; Distinguished Alumni Award (1993), Leadership Dallas; Paul J. Harris Distinguished Service Award (1998), Market Center Rotary Club; Extra Mile Award (1998), United Way of Metropolitan Dallas; Unsung Hero Award (1999), Dallas Real Estate Council; Women of Spirit award (2000), American Jewish Congress; Women In Leadership Award (2006), Women’ s Symposium, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX; Children’s Champion Award (2003), Leadership Dallas; Gail Reese Ward Mentoring Award (2006) Women’s Symposium, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX; Women Who Make a Difference Award (2006), My Second Chance, Inc.; Life Time Achievement Award (2008), Ryan White Service Providers Council, Dallas County; Passing the Torch: Legacy Award (2009), Dallas Urban League of Greater Dallas and North Central Texas; the Sojourner Truth Award from the South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.; and the Ambassador Award from St. Phillips School and Community Center. Dr. Barbara Cambridge was regarded as the “go to” person when you really wanted to know what was going on in our community. She loved what she did and shared her knowledge. You could fill volumes with Barbara’s sage advice, but here are two zingers: “Always ask the questions that are not on the agenda,” and “Do what you can do the way you can do it. It doesn’t require a degree. It just requires your heart and your work.” Her life will be cherished and emulated by her children: Gene Cambridge, Dallas, TX and Gianni Latrelle Cambridge, Dallas, TX; her three grandsons: Zachary, Blake and Andrew; Daughter-in-Love, Tamiko Syrie Cambridge (Dallas, TX). She also leaves behind a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, other beloved family members, and many close personal friends.