Mrs. Laura Ann Barr-Wilson

The Lord, in His sovereignty and His infinite wisdom, chose Thursday, March 19, 2026, to summon our beloved Laura Ann Barr-Wilson from labor to rest.  There must have been a brief conversation between God and Laura, informing her that the chariot would be arriving soon. She gladly accepted! Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606, with Rev Eric L. Bostick, Officiating.  Interment will follow in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, 4202 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Laura was the second child born to Mr. James Barr Sr. and Mrs. Beatrice Campbell Barr. She was educated in the Hillsborough County School District and graduated from Howard W. Blake High School. 

She further pursued her education at the oldest private historically black college and university (HBCU), Wilberforce University. During her time at Wilberforce University, Laura joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Chapter.

She earned a degree in Elementary Education from Wilberforce University and returned to Tampa, where she became one of Hillsborough County's finest educators for many years. Laura’s love for children was immeasurable. She was admired for her passion for teaching and her beautiful handwriting. Her hobbies included shopping, reading, and decorating.

Laura’s crowning achievement was welcoming her only child, Rhonda Dupree, into the world. Rhonda was the apple of her eye. Later, Laura married John T. Wilson Jr., and they raised Rhonda together to be the loving, nurturing, compassionate nurse that she is today.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Mr. James Barr Sr. and Mrs. Beatrice Barr, and her brother, James "Jimmy" Barr Jr.

She leaves behind to cherish her memories: a loving husband, John; her devoted daughter, Rhonda; her siblings, Richard (Muriel) Barr Sr., Gregory Barr, Debora Barr, Jacqueline (James) Strode, and Rita (Michael) Stevenson; nephews and nieces, Richard Barr Jr., Tonya Barr, LaMeisha Barr, Kenneth Gilmore Jr., and Kyng and Amora Gilmore; mother-in-love, Clara Dunbar; brother-in-law, Freddie (Diane) McSears Sr., sisters-in-law, Lois Davis, Sandra Dunbar and Sharon Dunbar; extended family, Reggie Housley, Traci Housley, and caregiver, VeeVee Burgess. There are many cherished family members and friends, too numerous to mention.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Laura Ann Barr-Wilson, please visit our floral store.