Obituary of Barbara Jean Ravazee

Barbara Jean Durr was born on June 20, 1934, to Eula Olivia Woods and Posey Lee Durr in Fairfield, AL. She attended and graduated from Westville High School in Ensley, AL.  Barbara confessed Christ at an early age and was a member of Mt. Everest Baptist Church in Ensley, AL. 

In 1949 Barbara meet James Milton Servant. Barbara and James married in 1950 and from this union seven children were born. Over the next several years, Barbara devoted her time to being a wife and mother. 

In 1965 Barbara married Willie Ravazee. Barbara and Willie relocated to Chicago, IL and she was a devoted wife until his passing in 1986.  

In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Barbara worked as a mail clerk for the U.S. Postal System for numerous years.

Barbara who was affectionately known to her friends and family as 'Bob," was a lover of the outdoors and enjoyed taking long walks.  She also loved to sing, dance and cook.  Barbara was famous for her Buttermilk Cornbread, Butter Beans, and Pineapple Pudding.  

Barbara enjoyed making people laugh and was quick to make new friends wherever she went.  She was well respected in her community and adored by many.  People often referred to her as the original Madea because she was fiercely protective of her family and slow to back down from a confirmation. 

Barbara joined Greater St John Bible Church in Chicago, IL and attended until her health began to decline.  In 2014 Barbara relocated to Kalamazoo, MI where she remained until her final days. 

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Eula Olivia Woods and Posey Lee Durr; her twenty siblings: Dorothy Johnson, Eddie Mae Bussey, Walter Durr, Myra Durr, Posey Lee Durr, Theophlis Gaines, Floyd (Moby) Durr, Willie Burl Hill, Ceitha Lee Durr, and Terry Durr.

Barbara leaves to cherish her loving memory seven children: Elizabeth Ann Servant; James Servant (Earellah), Barbara Servant; Bernnie Servant, Dianne Servant; Douglas Servant (Dorothy), Michael Servant; and a God-daughter DeLanda Groomer; ten siblings; Eula (Helen) Evans, Ramona Turner, Kelly Lambert, Marvin Hill, Irma Durr-Wilson, Jimmy Durr, Matilda Durr, Evangeline Anderson and Harry Durr; Thirty-One Grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Although Barbara has departed from this life, her life and legacy will live on through all who knew and loved her.