Dr. Betty Witherspoon Barber

SERVICES WILL BE LIVESTREAMED ON fbcsomerset.com 

Betty Witherspoon Barber, daughter of Maso and Refula Witherspoon, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 19, 1938. She passed away in New Brunswick, New Jersey on January 10, 2025. 

After graduating from high school in Charlotte, North Carolina, Betty attended North Carolina A & T State University where she studied nursing. At A & T she met and married Trenton, North Carolina native Richard Barber, Sr.  They were married for 57 years at the time of Richard’s death in April,2020.  

Betty started her nursing career as a cardiothoracic nurse in Germany where her husband Richard was stationed with the US Army. Upon returning to the United States, she began her nursing career at the University of Pittsburgh. Ultimately, she completed her Masters and Doctorate degrees at the University of Pittsburgh.  Professor Barber joined the nursing school faculty at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey in 1978. In 1986, Professor Barber was named assistant Dean of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Nursing at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. 2 years later, Professor Barber was selected to be the Dean of Kean University where she remained until she retired in 2003.  

Devoted to the University, Betty returned to Kean as an ombudsman. She received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including being named as one of Somerset County’s Outstanding Women in 2015. 

Betty Barber was most importantly a woman of Faith. She first served as a Deaconess at Central Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Her work as a Deaconess continued at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens where she was a faithful member since she moved to New Jersey in 1978. At First Baptist, she served in many ministries.  Her time spent with the Choir was one of her most cherished memories. 

Betty is the proud mother of Victoria Barber Spears, MD, Richard E. Barber, Jr. (Paula) and Sharon E.  Barber. She is the loving grandmother of Bryce Skylar Spears. 

Betty is preceded in death by her father and mother Maso and Refula Witherspoon, her husband Richard Barber, Sr., her sister Martha Witherspoon, and brothers William, Horace, Carl, and Ronnie Witherspoon. 

Betty is survived by her children Victoria, Richard, Jr. (Paula) and Sharon, grandson Bryce, brother James Raye Witherspoon and sister-in-law Linda Arnold (James) and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Betty will always be remembered as a humble caring woman of Faith.  Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.