Barbara Ogden

Barbara Ann Ogden passed away on July 27, 2022, in Gulf Breeze, FL at the age of 71. She loved life, her family, all children, film, and music. She was an accomplished piano player, sang and was an aspiring drummer. Born on August 13th, 1950, at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL, to Catherine Hazel and Paul Collins (Kalinois), Barbara was a loving, fiercely independent, and intuitive person who cherished the arts. She loved movies and theater. From the age of six her cousin she called  “Uncle” Ray Granholm took her to movies weekly. Uncle Ray loved westerns, but any drama or adventure film was fair game. Uncle Ray didn’t let his adored cousin miss anything because she was young. He treated his cousin as a person, not a child. Barbara had an easy communication with children, which she attributed to her interactions with this kind man. Barbara grew up watching her daddy, Paul, treat the patrons of the restaurant they owned, the “Little Pig Inn,” like family. Barbara never met a stranger, and she often attributed her generous, empathic spirit and love of people to her daddy’s example.

After graduating from Escambia High School in 1968, Barbara Ann attended Pensacola Junior College and helped run the family restaurant. In 1976, she moved to Atlanta on her own, enjoying concerts at the Fox Theater, the Great Southeastern Music Hall and the Agora Ballroom. She worked for Oxford Industries, Inc. (OI) in the internal audit department while attending Georgia State. She became friends with Bob Ogden during the audit of OI. The friendship grew to love, and Barbara asked Bob to marry her. They were wed in the Unitarian church by the Reverend Sydney Wilde Nugent on January 24, 1980, and Barbara became a proud parent to Robert Geoffrey. Immediately after the ceremony the pair drove to Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona. Arizona was too hot, and they returned to Atlanta where Barbara became Administrator of Metcalf, Frix CPAs. Barbara earned her Bachelor of Political Science degree from the University of West Florida in 1980 but was a lifelong student of political history. Barbara was a political radical and a lover of justice. In 1984 they escaped to Pensacola Beach and on October 13, 1984, Bob and Barbara were ecstatic about the arrival of their daughter, Jessica Winifred.

A loving and devoted mother, Barbara acted as a surrogate or second mother to all children she encountered and loved all her daughter’s friends as her own children. She lovingly and proudly served as Brownie troop leader, Vacation Bible School creator and organizer, Sunday school teacher (Superintendent of Sunday School), Bible study leader, volunteer youth leader, and volunteer room mother. A proud Greek, Barbara made sure no one in her care ever went hungry or wanted for anything. She was always there when needed. She served as the secretary at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church where she touched many lives. So many members of St. Francis will forever remember her kindness and her grace. She had the gift of exhortation and believed whole heartedly in the power of prayer. She was a life-long student of spiritual growth.

A skilled piano player, Barbara relished and thrived on her love of music. From Aretha Franklin to Paul Simon to Yusuf/ Cat Stevens to Andrea Bocelli to George Michael to Joni Mitchel her love of music was part of the fabric of her being. She was a witty, gifted writer with so much to say. She was never afraid of emotions or to express the depth of her feelings. She never held back; she didn’t know how to not feel deeply. She loved unconditionally.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved father Paul Collins and her mother Hazel Collins, her aunt Roxie Staten and her cousins Ray Granholm and Shirley Granholm Fisher.

Barbara is survived by her husband Bob Ogden, her daughter Jessica Winifred Ogden, her son Geoffrey Ogden and grandson Joshua Ogden, brother Paul Collins and sister-in-law Debra and her nieces Angela Collins and Lisa Patterson, and her cousins Linda Staten and John Wayne Staten.

Brothers-in-law: Stephen J. Ogden, David P. Ogden, and Pete Vogt; sisters-in-law: Martha Ann Haynie, Lynn Ogden; nephews: Cary Haynie, Scott Haynie, Andrew Ogden Allen; niece: Taylor Michelle Ogden Allen; Tracy Haynie and Shannon Haynie, great nephew: Tyson Haynie; great Niece: Amelia-Penelope Haynie.

Special acknowledgments are due to Peggy Anderson who was her beloved sister in spirit and best friend; Sara Lee Menzer, her friend and spiritual mentor; Don Elton Lott, her son in love; Elsie Cortright Hendrickson and Betty Gusack, her dear friends, and accomplices; Lorraine Ramos, her lifelong friend.

Barbara loved all animals, but cats most especially. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Animal Allies https://www.aaflorida.org/info/donate

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 13th (her Birthday), 2:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church.