In Loving Memory of Reverend Dr. Barbara A. LaToison
Born: January 21, 1955 Died: July 23, 2023
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we bid farewell to Rev. Dr. Barbara Ann LaToison. On July 23, 2023, the world lost a remarkable woman while heaven rejoices to receive a faithful, loving, and loyal servant of Christ. The beloved wife, mother, preacher, and teacher lived 68 years.
Barbara was reared in the small town of Wilmot, Arkansas. She was raised to love the Lord with all her heart and practiced her faith at John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at the age of 12 and served fervently as a Sunday School superintendent and singing in the choir. At fifteen, she served as the church’s delegate to the Arkansas Annual Conference and did so every year until she was 22 years old. At 18 she was assigned by the Bishop to be the District Director of Youth, where she offered leadership and coordination of youth ministry for 8 churches. At 21, she was elected by the Arkansas Annual Conference to serve as its delegate to the General Conference, where she served on the Secretariat, and Budget and Apportionment Committee as well as the Resolutions Committee.
Barbara studied at the University of Arkansas at Monticello in the area of Speech Communication and Psychology. She not only joined Zeta Phi BetaSorority Incorporated but was a charter member that helped to begin the legacy of that sorority at UAM. Barbara’s love for words, language, and presentation landed her a spot on the debate team as well as other social groups the university had to offer. While in college, she began a journey of motherhood that changed her life when her first child, Taryne Sherida Metcalf came into the world. On May 16, 1981 Barbara Ann Metcalf wedAbelardo “A.J.” LaToison and had Silvanus Joseph LaToison, Ruth Dorothy LaToison, and Deborah Aida LaToison.
Barbara was ordained an elder in The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and she and her husband founded Holy Ghost A.M.E. Zion Church in Houston, TX. Barbara also served as the proud pastor of Walls Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Houston, St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church in Dallas, TX, and Grace Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Little Rock, AR. At her passing, she was the pastor of Alleyne A.M.E. Zion Church in Alexandria, VA.
Reverend Dr. Barbara Ann LaToison found great purpose in her ministry as a presiding elder. She served as Presiding Elder of the Houston-SanAntonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, and the Little Rock-Hot Springs Districts. The church eventually honored her service by electing her as the 6th President of the Presiding Elder's Council, where she served for eight years. Barbara exemplified a reverence for God and a passion for God’s people. Her churches, districts, and the Presiding Elder's Council made progress as she provided leadership with three ideas in mind: Transformation, Innovation, and Expansion.
Barbara was a true scholar demonstrating her academic prowess by completing her master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling at Houston Graduate School of Theology and completing her Doctor of Ministry from Southern Reformed College & Seminary in Houston, TX. While matriculating at Houston Graduate School of Theology, she also acted as a faculty member for multicultural counseling and as the Assistant Director of library services. At 66, Barbara completed her chaplaincy certification at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. While pastoring and serving as a presiding elder, she was the Administrative Staff Chaplain and was promoted to Chief Chaplain Resident. One of Barbara’s distinct joys in ministry and vocation was providing pastoral care and counseling to hundreds of people who were drawn to her expertise.
The late Rev. Dr. Barbara A. LaToison was preceded in death by her mother, Clote Lewis; her father, John T. Metcalf; her special aunt with whom she shares a name, Barbara Ann Metcalf; and several siblings. Barbara leaves behind her husband, Abelardo J. LaToison; their 6 children Jacques MarquisLaToison, Yaphet Abelard LaToison I, Taryne Sherida Dismuke, Silvanus Joseph LaToison, Ruth Dorothy LaToison Ifill, and Deborah AidaLaToison; their 15 grandchildren David Jamar Ridley Neal, Jacqueline Marquette LaToison, Jacques Marquis LaToison II, Uzziah Amadeo LaToison, Lisa Denise LaToison II, Jasmine Sierra Clark, Keith Darden Clark III, Cyrus Costello Clark, Amaya Alexi LaToison, Yaphet Abelard LaToison II, Alexeev Xavier Dismuke, Micayah Annalise LaToison Ifill, London Asad LaToison Ifill, Zhanelle Sade Paige, Santiago Andres LaToison Mendoza; 11 great-grandchildren; and a whole host of family and loved ones across the world.
Please continue to keep the La Toison Family in your prayers.
