BPWF - Dedication

IN MEMORY OF MOTHER VICTORIA BARNES
Print Page
First National President Business and Professional Women's Federation
On December 23, 1911, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, God blessed Henry and Bertha Turner to be vehicles to bring to earth a baby girl whom they named Victoria. Victoria spent her early childhood in Orange, Texas, where she began her education in the public school system. In pursuit of knowledge, she attended Page-Normal and Bible Institute in Hearne, Texas for two years. When she became aware that the school she was attending was not accredited, she moved to Baltimore, Maryland where she graduated from Frederick Douglas High School.
Later, she enrolled at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. There she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education that would extend to her opportunities to develop children. She taught many years in the public schools of Houston: 23rd Avenue School, now P.H. Holden; Burrus Elementary; Harper Junior High School; and Bruce Elementary. Victoria learned at an early age that there was VICTORY in Jesus! She was Saved, Sanctified, and Filled with the Holy Ghost under the pastorage of the late Elder Maurice Compton in Orange, Texas. She was the first musician at Orange, Texas Church of God in Christ. In October of 1935, she moved to Houston, Texas. On May 20, 1937, Victoria and Titus Sinclair Barnes were united in holy matrimony. They were married fifty-nine and one-half years. To this union three children were born, nurtured, and developed: Bertha Barnes Dinkins, Titus Barnes, Jr. and Carrol Barnes Dixon. Victoria was gifted by the Holy Spirit and served as the Sunday School Coordinator; Deaconess; Treasurer of Williams Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ; State Supervisor of Texas Southeast Jurisdiction #1 of the Church of God in Christ; National President of Business and Professional Women's Federation of the Church of God in Christ; National Hospitality of the Church of God in Christ; elected to the National Board of Trustees of the Church of God in Christ (1984). She was a member of the Houston Heights Civic Club; Life Member of the Business and Professional Women's Club; Officer and member of the Houston League of Business and Professional Women; Life member of the Young Women's Christian Association (Blue Triangle Branch); Member of the Board of Directors; First President of Life Members Club; Member of the Nominating Committee; served as an Administration Committee Chairperson; Eta Phi Beta Sorority; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (honored as Outstanding Citizen). After being diagnosed with cancer, she was given a 50 percent survival rate. She kept the faith and was given victory over her illness. She retired as a classroom teacher but did not quit the teaching profession. When her grandchildren entered elementary school, she became an active member of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). She became the first black PTA president at Helms Elementary, a predominantly white school. "She is gone but not forgotten."