Barbara Ann Self

Barbara Ann (Eaves) Boykin Self (age 81) went to be present with the Lord on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, while in the presence of loving family. Barbara was born August 20, 1943, in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. She spent her younger years as a student of Savannah City Schools. After leaving Savannah High School, Mrs. Self moved to Rome due to her father’s employment with Georgia Kraft. She then graduated from Coosa High School in 1962 and continued her education at the Carroll Lynn Business School. Mrs. Self was employed at Higgin’s Shoe Store during the 1960s. It was during that time she met John Self, a Battey Machinery employee, during a lunch break in a downtown Rome diner. Family lore states that a friendly wager was placed between John and Barbara concerning the outcome of an upcoming Coosa High and Model High football game. Though Coosa won that fateful game, John was still granted a date with Barbara, and they eventually married in January of 1964 at Garden Lakes Baptist Church. In 1966, Barbara assisted John as he founded J Supply Company for which he served as president for many years. Mrs. Self supported her family as a dedicated homemaker for the majority of her adult life. She also worked as a volunteer “Pink Lady” at Floyd Medical Center and as the secretary of the Music Ministry of West Rome Baptist Church.

Mrs. Self had many loves during her life, but none greater than her love of God, family, and country. Mrs. Self became a born-again Christian in 1976. She then became a dedicated member of West Rome Baptist Church and its Chancel Choir for over twenty-five years. Two of her fondest memories were traveling with fellow church members to the Holy Land during the late 1970s and a mission trip to Russia and Ukraine following the collapse of the U.S.S.R. in 1992.

Barbara was a loyal and supportive wife of John and mother of Stacy Gore (Bill) and Jason Self (Laura). Mrs. Self never missed an opportunity to be present at her children’s band competitions, football games, track meets, church related events, or family functions. She and John instilled a love for family into her children that remains a living legacy today. Mrs. Self was an amazing cook of southern and coastal cuisine. She attributed much of her culinary skills to her late grandmother, Onnie Brown White. Her family and extended family members were blessed to sit at her supper table over the years. Mrs. Self’s love continued to grow as grandchildren were added to her family. She poured much love into the lives of those five grandchildren: Tommi L. Gore, Lauren R. Goolsby (Jonathan), John J. Goolsby, J. Tyler Gore (Carolina), and Lovett G. E. Self.

She  was an avid lover of sports and marching bands. She loved to cheer for the West Rome Chieftains, the Rome Wolves, the Georgia Bulldogs, the Atlanta Braves, and especially her Atlanta Falcons. She also loved to cheer on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the JSU Marching Southerners and Ballerinas. Mrs. Self enjoyed bowling. She was a bowler in local leagues. She found much pleasure in the fellowship and competition provided by her fellow bowlers. Mrs. Self also enjoyed landscaping and other outdoor activities. She and John kept immaculate yards over the years, and her flowers, grass, shrubbery, and trees were always a source of pride for her. Mrs. Self also had many pets over the years. Whether they were cats, dogs, or even fish, Mrs. Self found joy in caring for God’s smallest creatures. She was especially fond of her late silky terrier, Dooley.

Mrs. Self was preceded in death by her late husband, John Grant Self and her parents, Mr. Lovett Wray Boykin and Ruth Brown Boykin. Mrs. Self is survived by her loyal and loving sister, Joan (Eaves) Boykin Hendrix (Greg), both of her children, all her grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Self loved all her family dearly. 

 A visitation for family and friends will be held at Salmon Funeral Home on Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. A service celebrating her home going will follow at 3:00 PM in the chapel of Salmon Funeral Home. Reverend Dr. Gary Graves, a long-time family friend, will officiate. A private interment will be held on a later date at East View Cemetery in Rome.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to a charity that would honor her spiritual gift of giving. 

The staff of Salmon Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Barbara Ann (Eaves) Boykin Self.