Alice Genora Herring Barksdale

Alice Genora Herring Barksdale, 93, peacefully departed this earth for Glory on April 16, 2022. She was born in Raleigh County, WV, November 26, 1928. Alice was the middle child of three girls born to John and Elizabeth Herring. The Herring sisters lost their mother at an early age and were raised in Charleston by their Aunt Ruby and Uncle Harry Johnson.

Alice was educated in Kanawha County schools. She attended Boyd Junior High School and was a proud 1948 graduate of Garnet High School. After high school Alice graduated from Juanita’s School of Beauty Culture and worked for many years as a beautician in Louise’s Beauty Salon. She was also a job counselor for Charleston’s Employment Security Division and the Neighborhood Youth Corps (NYC), a national work-training program. Alice also loved her time as a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts of America – Cub Scouts Program. She retired from A&I Supply Company (later known as The Ross-Willoughby Company). Upon retirement, she became a child-care provider, caring for her three "Diddles", her only grandchild, A’rielle Barksdale, along with Luverdia Holland and Laura Pugh.

It’s All About Jesus! In the early 1970s Alice attended a revival at The Glorious Church of God in Christ, now Faith and Truth Apostolic Church on Charleston’s West Side. She responded to the invitation and when asked, “What do you want from the Lord?” she responded, “I want Jesus Christ to come into my life FOR REAL.” That night, she was Born Again and filled with the Holy Spirit. Transformed by God’s love, her skills, aptitude, and love for working with people, counseling, mentoring and caregiving, Alice took on a new purpose as she began to tell anyone who would listen and many who didn’t, that “It’s All About Jesus!"

As Alice grew in God’s Word and wisdom she continued to love on people and win souls for the Kingdom. She had a special gift to see and connect with people and she never gave up on anyone. Alice was an encourager, working through what she called her “phone ministry.” She was bold for the cause of Christ, compelling people to accept Jesus as their personal Savior while demonstrating the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Alice was a member and Mother at Abundant Life Ministries, Charleston, under the leadership of Bishop Wayne R. Crozier. She loved the Word, loved to praise God, and loved to share her testimony. Mother Barksdale was known and well-loved throughout Charleston and beyond.

Mother Barksdale was preceded in death by her sisters,  Georgiamae Green and Mother Claudine Guy, and nephew, Richard Green.

Mother Barksdale  is survived by her three children, James “Bucky” Barksdale (Julie), Institute, WV, Steven “Green Jeans” Barksdale, Rand, WV, and Alice Victoria Barksdale, Cross Lanes, WV, granddaughter, A’rielle, Charleston, WV. Mother Barksdale will also be missed by her beloved nieces, nephews, and a host of adopted family members whom she loved and cherished. She has sown good seed and left a part of herself with each of us. Let’s honor Mother Barksdale by doing likewise.

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