Barbara Jean Walthour

November 30, 1943 - January 12, 2022

Barbara Jean Ivery Walthour was born to Charles Ivery and Nona Ruff Ivery in Catskill, New York on November 30, 1943. The beloved wife, mother, grandmother, community leader and businesswoman, died on January 12, 2022, at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, New York. She was the beloved wife of Jacob “Jake” Walthour, Sr., one of Hudson’s most successful businessmen who predeceased her thirteen months ago. Barbara was 78 years of age and comforted during her transition to reward by her three children and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. In the end, she died just like she lived: thinking of others, putting up a fight and trusting in God. She is already missed by her family, friends, and all the people she has helped throughout her amazing life’s journey. Barbara came from a humble background that shaped her life and life’s work. Nona Ivery died in 1962 when Barbara was a senior in high school and seventeen years of age. Barbara was the oldest daughter and in an act of selflessness and sacrifice left Catskill High School to nurture nine siblings including Robert H. Ivery, Charles Ivery, Linton, James Roy, Evelyn Ivery, David Ivery, Edna Elizabeth Ivery, Joseph Ivery and Betty Lou (Ivery) Johnson. It is often said that Barbara became a matriarch before she became a mother. Barbara was conditioned by her circumstances to help others and throughout her life she took care of everyone with a confident, comforting presence. She was known for providing sage advice. In the words of Columbia County District Attorney, “I learned as I aged that the First Lady of Hudson had been right about damn near everything. I am honored to have been her friend.” Barbara never turned people away when in need and she would not hesitate to insert herself into other’s personal affairs. To Barbara, your business was her business – everybody’s business was her business. Her niece Chelsea Ivery said, “She was something,” referring to her aunt’s commitment to helping others and the laughable ways she often delivered her assistance and guidance. Barbara’s reputation for serving others gave her lasting popularity and influence in business, social and political circles in Columbia County. She was often referred to as a “Mother of the Community” as her life was a living example of human service and generosity. She used that reputation to bridge a lot of different worlds and bring attention to many local causes and injustices. Columbia County Women’s Alliance named Barbara to its 100 Women Making a Difference in Columbia County and called her a “pillar of the African American community.” In 1982, she co-founded Savoia Bar & Restaurant with Jacob. They wanted a setting where all people, regardless of their differences, could gather under one roof. Mrs. B, as she was called at the restaurant, managed the establishment for 35 years and created the multi-racial, friendly atmosphere and made it “The Place to Be” for locals and visitors to Hudson. Their success was a testament to Barbara’s ability to command people of varying backgrounds to peacefully gather and their respect for her. Barbara loved giving and giving love. Jacob used to quip that while he was always thinking about how to make money, Barbara thought too much about how to “give his money away.” To Barbara, words were not often enough to help people. Life required resources, opportunity and second chances. In her mind, the world was not fair, and people often needed someone in their corner to boost their confidence and financial support to not just succeed but to subsist. Whether you needed food, bail, rent, medication, tuition, or charitable donations you could depend on Mrs. B. Family was everything to Barbara. The union of Barbara and Jacob produced one daughter, Nona Marie and two sons, Jacob, Jr. and Marcus Alger, who all survive her. She never missed a recital, concert, game, awards ceremony, childbirth, wedding, shower, or graduation. She was proud of her children and their accomplishments. However, she would not favor them. To Barbara, her children were privileged to have two active parents as living role models, and opportunities that escaped others in the Black community and community at-large and that meant that she could often focus her efforts on others who needed her more. She treasured her grandchildren, nieces and nephews and embraced every moment with them. Regardless of kinship or title she treated them all the same. She held everyone accountable for being supportive family members and honoring the values she passed down. In her early years she was a strict disciplinarian, but she softened tremendously in her later years and spoiled every child much to their parents’ dismay. Barbara is survived by her best sister-friend of 60 years, Jacqueline Merritt who along with recently deceased sister-friend Francis Hughes, she spoke with daily. They raised their children (Sonia, Yolanda, Crystal, Wanda, William and Chiara) together and became interchangeable as mothers. All ten of Barbara’s siblings predeceased her and in Jacqueline’s words, “Barbara raised them all and buried them all” which was a testament to Barbara’s strength and ability to persevere. She is also survived by in-laws Holly Walthour and ShawnDya L. Simpson, six grandchildren, Kenneth Lockridge, Jr., Shariah Walthour, Sharidan Walthour, Jacob Walthour III, Sharis Walthour and Harper Marie Walthour and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, adopted and godchildren. Despite her long illness, Barbara’s personality never changed. In the end, she was still the strong-willed, fearless and outspoken “mother of all” dispensing her love in ways that will continue her legacy. Barbara appreciated the daily outpouring of affection by those who loved her. She was appreciative of the kind-hearted nurses and doctors at Columbia Memorial Hospital, especially Dr. Mehjabin Zahir who she considered a confidant and sister throughout their eleven-year friendship. Barbara’s life will be celebrated as follows: Friday, January 21, 2022, 4pm-7pm Wake and Family Visitation Bates and Anderson Funeral Home 110 Green Street Hudson, NY 12534 Saturday, January 22, 2022, 11am Funeral Services Shiloh Baptist Church 14 Warren Street Hudson, New York 12534 In lieu of flowers and cards donations can be made to: Operation Unite for Youth PO Box 1305 Hudson, NY 12534 http://www.operationuniteny.com/