Barbara Elaine Conwell

Barbara Elaine Conwell was the daughter of the late Joseph Prince Tobler and Mary Ellen Mayhew. She was born October 11, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the third of seven children. Barbara or “Barbs” as she was so affectionately called was baptized at an early age at Penn Memorial Baptist Church. She was educated through the Philadelphia school system and graduated from Bok Vocational High School. In her early years she worked at the College of Pharmacy and Science, but her most cherished role was that of a mother and she spent most of her years as a homemaker. At an early age, Barbara met and married her best friend and one of her closest confidants, Furman Pete Conwell and from that union they had four beautiful children Robin, Angela, Furman, and Kwanza. Barbara took her role as mother very serious and instilled in her children great confidence. She was always sure to remind her children that they were loved and they were made out of love. Barbara was loved by all who knew her. She was the life of every party and she greeted everyone with a genuine smile. She loved family and community and her door was always open to anyone in need. She loved cooking. Preparing large meals for her family and friends brought her great joy. Nothing made her happier than seeing her family and friends happy. A firm believer in community, Barbara worked for many years in support of voting rights and voter registration, to include working local election polling sites. She marched for Safe Corridors with David Fattah Sr. and others to ensure school safety for the children in her community. She was so proud of the work that she did with Safe Corridors that when offered the opportunity to meet former President George Bush that was the topic of her brief conversation with him. Her participation and dedication in Safe Corridors awarded her various citations, certificates, and awards. Barbara was strong in spirit and in faith. When asked how she was doing she would cheerfully announce, “I am holding on to God’s unchanging hands!” She loved the Lord and she knew that the Lord loved her, so when He extended His hand to her on January 9, 2021, to lead her home she took it peacefully. She served the Lord faithfully and she transitioned to her next with full confidence that she had run her race and had kept the faith. In addition to being a child of the Most High God, Barbara was a devoted Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Great-great- Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Neighbor, and Friend. Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents Joseph and Mary Tobler, four siblings: Evelyn Jordan, James Tobler, Yusuf Karim, and Gary (Umar Karim) Tobler. She leaves to cherish in her beautiful memory her ex-husband and forever friend, Pete Conwell (Loretta), two sisters, Yvonne Kato (Fred) and Jacqueline Tobler, one brother-in-law, Lenny Jordan and one sister-in-law Basima Karim, four children Robyn Fisher (Tracey), Angela “Kim” Conwell, Furman “Aaron” Conwell, and Kwanza “Buffy” Gipson (Quinton Sr.), seven grandchildren: Shatya, Keith “Niyfese”, Nadrea, Rafique, Quinton Jr., Nia, and Richard “Nasir”: six great-grandchildren including Jykare and Zakah being the closest to her, one great great-granddaughter Kali’ Kapree, and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and many special friends.

Barbara Elaine Conwell

October 11, 1947 - January 9, 2021