It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Mrs. Barbara Jean (Bobbitt) Tarkington, lovingly known as Jean, Momma, and Momma Jean. Jean entered this world on May 5, 1938, to the union of Della E. Bobbitt (Jones) and Frank Bobbitt of Webster Groves MO.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Donald M. Tarkington Sr., her sons Donald M. Tarkington Jr., Albert “Mike” Tarkington, and Bradley Tarkington, her brother Robert “Petie” Bobbitt, her son-in-law Rev. Nathan Wolff, and her grandson Markis Tarkington.

Jean was an incredibly proud graduate of Douglas High School, which was the black high school during segregation. After graduating from Douglass, Jean attended the HBCU, Lincoln University where she continued her education. While working part-time for the Webster Groves School District, Jean finished her education by earning a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting at St Louis Community College. Jean went on to work for the US Postal Data Center in St Louis for over 20 years.

Throughout their lives, Don and Jean loved to travel. During the early years, vacations were primarily road trips with camping gear in tow. Once Don began working for Trans World Airlines, they traveled all over Europe, Scandinavia, multiple Caribbean Islands and almost every US State, including Alaska and Hawaii. Jean continued travelling in her later years – with a focus on black historical sites.

Jean deeply loved black history.  This love led her on a quest to discover her family’s roots. She and her cousin, Wayne Calvin, were able to trace their genealogy all the way to West Africa and an ancestor named Carrie.

Jean was very active in the North Webster Neighborhood Coalition, which seeks to preserve and celebrate the rich African American history of the community where her family flourished for generations. Jean was instrumental in the procurement and installation of a commemorative sculpture that now stands at the entrance of the neighborhood as a memorial.

Jean accepted Christ at an early age. She grew up at what is now Unity United Methodist Church where she served in ministry for many years. When Jean moved to Springfield with her daughter Tracey in 2019, she immediately joined Pitts Chapel United Methodist and felt right at home.

Jean departed this life on the evening of March 6, 2026, in Springfield MO.

She is survived by her children Carla Tarkington (Michael Coleman), Kurt Tarkington (Fred Clark), and Rev. Tracey Wolff, her sister Eleanor Pitts, her grandchildren Donald Tarkington III (Angela), Tasha Tarkington, Lawrence “Tony” Tarkington, Breanna Tarkington, Crystal Tarkington and Marcus Wolff (Brianna Bealer). Jean is also survived by 10 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, countless beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, as well as life long and new friends she collected throughout her life.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 12:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North.

Her care has been entrusted with Greenlawn Funeral Home North.