On September 4th, 2024, at 7:45 am, at the age of 88, Barbara Nell Valentine left her grieving loved ones on earth to join her loved ones in Heaven. Barbara took her last breath with both her children at her side and a prayer in her ear.
Born Barbara Nell Preston on August 16th, 1936, she was the eldest of four. She was adventurous and brave, as well as intelligent and beautiful. Her beauty led to a young soldier reaching out to her via letter. He saw her photo in a newspaper clipping sent to him during the Korean war. The clipping contained information about Minden, including the Miss. Minden pageant contestants, one of which was the lovely Barbara Preston. She lost the pageant but won a husband, CE Valentine, who preceded her in death.
Together they had two children, Teresa Streetman and Chuck Valentine. They also welcomed their spouses into the family, Mike Streetman and Brenda Valentine, all of Minden, LA . She will forever be in the hearts of her six natural grandchildren and two bonus ones. Tara Streetman and her spouse Marcie Fowler who now reside in Boston, MA, Shane Streetman also in Boston, Sara Streetman and Chancy Wilson in Minden, LA along with spouse Matt Wilson, Stormy Valentine in Dallas, TX, and the youngest, Savanna Valentine of Minden. She also had the pleasure of being a great grandmother to Ava Grace Wilson and Colton Wilson.
CE and Barbara together created a local business, Ad Sign Service, which continues today with their children at the helm. Barbara was deeply spiritual and very involved with her church, North Acres Baptist. She also left us with beautiful paintings and photographs to document her love of nature and family. She loved to travel, solo or with loved ones. Her favorite trip was a spiritual pilgrimage to Israel. Barbara was a daughter, a sister, a daddy’s girl, a gardener, a paralegal, a secretary, a phone operator, an artist, a photographer, a traveler, a hunter, a wife, a role model, a Matriarch, a woman of God, a mother, a Granny, a great grandmother and so much more. She and CE were generous with the success they found in life. They helped their loved ones and community. Barbara had a sense of humor and a mischievous streak. She was a gift to her family and friends in all her eras. She will be deeply missed by her community, her friends, and her family. All services will be at Rose Neath in Minden. Visitation service will be held Friday September 13 at 5pm. Funeral services will be held at Rose Neath on September 14th at 1:30 pm, followed by burial services at Gardens of Memory in Minden.