Barbara Gene (Stewart) Gaskins

Evangelist Barbara Gene (Stewart) Gaskins “Baby Gene”, 78, of Manassas, Virginia, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 27, 2021 at her home of Marywood Apartments in Manassas, VA. She was born May 28, 1943, in Delaplane, VA, on the Rucker Farm to the late Lara Moore and Sarah Johanna Moxley Stewart. Affectionately known as “Gene” by her family and friends, she was the youngest of six children.

Barbara attended No. 12 Elementary School in Rectortown, VA. After graduating from the 7th grade in 1956, she entered William C. Taylor High School in Warrenton Virginia. In 1958, she was hospitalized due to rheumatoid arthritis, which caused her to be disabled and ultimately caused her to miss a year of school. However, despite her illness, she graduated in 1962 with special recognition of “Being Determined to Succeed.”

In 1963, Barbara married the late Custis Calvin Gaskins from which she was blessed with three adoring daughters. After separating from her husband, Barbara worked as a Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant for a short period of time. Later, she was employed at George Mason University and by the Fairfax County School System as a custodian. Lastly, she worked for Mr. & Mrs. Elijah Jackson as the Manager of the Chat and Chew Restaurant located at the Manassas Regional Airport.

Barbara joined and was baptized by the late Rev. George W. Richardson, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Rectortown, VA, at the age of 12. She continued her ministry and servanthood under the late Rev. Norman Smith at the same church. She later joined Willisville Methodist Church, Upperville, VA, where she was Chairman of the youth choir. She continued her Christian journey by joining The Salem Baptist Church as a watch care member, under the Pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Wendell Grant. In 1986, Barbara then joined Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Manassas, VA under the Pastoral leadership of Bishop Donald L. Smith where she served as Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, Missionary, President of the Prison Ministry, and member of the Senior Citizen’s Ministry. In 2003, Barbara was licensed as an Evangelist. She also served as a life member of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association, Inc., Women’s Ministry. In 2019, she was awarded the CAB Outreach International Ministries, Inc. Missions “Humanity Service Award” for her exceptional community service and outreach to the least of these by her schoolmate and longtime friend, Bishop Carroll A. Baltimore. She received the Leonard N. Smith, LLC 2021 Women’s History Award for her noteworthy contributions to humanity. She fulfilled many obligations by carrying out her calling by serving in various ministries such as volunteer teacher, member of the President Council for the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry at Prince William Detention Center and Karios Prison Ministry, Richmond, VA. The prison ministry is one which she loved with all her heart.

In 1996, Barbara received an Associate Degree in Religious Education from Washington Bible College at Howard University Saturday College in Washington, DC. In 1998, she received a Diploma in Bible Studies from Calvary Bible Institute in Washington, DC. She attended Evangel Theological Seminary in Harrisonburg, VA as well as Spirit of the Truth Institute in Richmond, VA. Her goal was to become a Christian Counselor and Chaplain of Prison Ministry.

In 2005, under the leadership of her Pastor, Bishop Timothy J. Warren, Barbara became the first founding Charter Member of The Holy Sanctuary Church in Waldorf, Maryland. There, she served on the Priesthood and Season Saints Ministries and was also the “Mother of the Church.” Her love for people and ministry of servanthood afforded her the opportunity to take her passion of ministry and the gospel global as she traveled to Orlando, Florida, The Holy Christian Church, (Archbishop Wayne Felton), Saint Paul, Minnesota, Jacksonville, FL; Charlotte, North Carolina; Global United Fellowship, (Bishop Neil C. Ellis), Nassau, Bahamas; and The Holy City, Jerusalem, Israel. Last, but not least, her Holy Sanctuary Church Family special members, who she called her sons and daughters, Minister “Deacon” Myron Ward; Minister Clarence Ball; Evangelist N. Belinda Ford; and her traveling partner, Sis. Sheila Jones.

Evangelist Barbara “Gene” was known as the “Facebook Queen” and enjoyed encouraging her family, friends and especially Pastors with her daily posts of funny sayings, jokes, pictures and more pictures. She often left many wondering, where did you get those pictures of me? She would say, “this is my ministry.” She never missed an opportunity to post shout outs for her loved ones’ birthdays, anniversaries, prayer requests and praise reports. She had a personal relationship with the late Patrick Ellis and Jacquie Gales Webb of Radio Station (WHUR) Sunday morning gospel program, which also provided her with the opportunity to send in her shout outs on the radio every Sunday morning.

Evangelist Barbara “Gene” Stewart Gaskins trusted God, loved God and believed God. As she often said, “I’m not perfect and made mistakes, but God is a forgiving God.” She displayed it in her daily walk as she demonstrated God’s unconditional love for his people in her stewardship and service in ministry. She was a true pillar and faith leader in the Stewart/Gaskins family, church family, community and the world. She served many roles as a community leader impacting the lives of so many. She will be missed greatly by her family and everyone who had the honor of knowing and loving her.

Departing this life, Barbara was preceded in death by her four brothers: Lara Taylor; William Edward; Irvin Benson; and Ferrell Gibson; and one sister Ethel Harris. She leaves to cherish her memory one very special person who she affectionately called her “fourth daughter,” that she cared for and loved as her own, Denise Thornley; her cousin, Mary Craig, who was like a big sister; and King David Stewart, her cousin, also like her brother and her special sister-in-law, Thelma Stewart. Gene had other special persons whom she referred to as “her adopted children:” Sidney Woodson (godson); George “Georgie” Sloan; Heather Craig Diamond; Lee “Uncle Bud” Craig; Chester Byrd; Latisha Stewart; Lisa Davis; Jason Davis; and Kimberly Newman. Gene also was the babysitter for: Deloyd Hogan, Deon Hogan, Essence “Shay Shay” Spence, and DeChaun Reed. She was a surrogate aunt and mother to countless others, as well as, a friend to many others.

Barbara had beloved friendships with Shirley Hogan, Mae Horlback, Annie Jackson, Janet Rutherford, the late Doreathea “Dee” Vanterpool; and the late Evangelist Barbara Robinson her “best friend, confidant and partner in Christ.” The two were known as “B&B.” Lastly, William Driscol, her devoted friend who was always lending a helping hand. She also leaves her “home girls,” who remained friends for over 50 years: Patricia “Pat” Greene; Dorothy Grigsby; Earsaline Anderson; Bishop Thelma Jean Tines; Shirley Mae Tine; and Dolores Caison.

Evangelist Barbara Gene Stewart Gaskins is survived by her adoring three daughters, often referred to as “Gene’s Girls” who made her proud: her first born Zina Mashell “Mop & Snake” (Carl) Miller of Manassas, VA; her middle child Angela Lavon “Catwoman & Big Kate” (Douglas) Davis of Culpeper, VA; her baby girl Allison Felicia “Chiang & Bangy” (Timothy) Warren of Indian Head, MD.  She also leaves her great legacy for her eleven grandchildren: Cejay Miller; Latania Gaskins; Beverly (Matthew) Parsons; Douglas Davis, Jr. (Chancie); Custis Davis; Khadijah Davis; Carlton Miller, Jr.; Caleb Miller; Timothy Warren, Jr.; Alicia Warren; and Timara Warren; seven great-grandchildren: Jalen Woodward; Ryleigh Parsons; Morgan Parsons; Jonathan Rose; Parker Parsons; twins, Tyson Parsons and Taylor Parsons; four sisters-in-laws: Dorothy Ford; Thelma Stewart; Shirley Lambert; and Delores “Dee Dee” Grady, nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.

A walk through viewing will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2021, from 10 am until 12 pm at Faith Christian Church, 6472 Duhollow Road, Warrenton, VA 20187. Funeral services are private but will be streamed live at: https://www.gotfaithnow.org/watch-live 

Live stream begins at 12 pm.

Bishop Carroll A. Baltimore, Officiant.

Bishop Timothy J. Warren, Eulogist.

Interment: Solon Cemetery, Middleburg, VA.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Gene (Stewart) Gaskins, please visit our floral store.