Barbara Jean (McDonald) Tinch

Barbara’s Life Reflections

Barbara Jean McDonald Tinch, born in Kansas City, Kansas on July 6, 1933, the fifth child of seven to Ed and Lena McDonald.  Barbara a 1952 graduate of Sumner High School, grew up on New Jersey Avenue; a Kansas City, Kansas community where many families and friends knew her as “Bobbi”.  She would maintain her Kansas residence for the next 81 years.
As a young girl growing up on New Jersey Avenue, Barbara loved nice things, always looking creatively to make money to buy goodies like fresh cookies, new colorful marbles, candy licorice, and Maryjane caramels.  Never believing in make-believe food like mud pies and grass for collard greens.  She learned to find pop-bottles for spare change to buy real goodies.  Known for selling the Kansas City community paper “The Call” to local neighbors, she would dramatize the most noted headlines to get the attention of hesitant buyers, building a solid weekly clientele base.  Barbara’s motto: “Time waits on no man”.

February 12, 1955, Barbara married Otis G. Tinch Jr. preceding her in death, August 12, 2002, after 47 years of marriage.  From their union thet reared three chidren.  Barbara was baptized at an early age; professed faith in a living Christ; life member of Metropolitan Baptist Church; dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and a friend alwasys willing to help and share with others.  She would say often “you can’t beat God giving”; and giving she did.  The energy to motivate, inspiring others to do their best.

Brbara loved to keep the home sparkling clean with beatiful elegant décor, everything just right in its proper space.  Adoring her six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  It was lovely how she always wanted to “get all the sugar”. From each grandchild-kisses that will be fondly remembed.  She would have given them the world, nothing less than her best for them.  In 2015, Barbara’s health began to decline; invited to stay with her daughter Lisa in Las Vegas, where she remained until her passing at age 87.  Barbara’s faith in God and positive attitude heled her overcome her challenges with three cancers and COVID-19.  However, the long-term effexcts of COVID-19 took their toll on her body and accelerated her deterioration.  Barbara loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and shared her readiness for God to take her home.  In life’s sunset, her family truly witnessed a strong soldier and unwavering woman that lived and celebrted life to its fullest, giving all glory and honor to Christ.  She will be truly missed, but forever cherished and loved in our hearts and fond memories.

Barbara’s parents and eldest siblings, brothers, Earl; and Herman McDonald, sister, Odessa King; and granddaughter, Elizabeth Ashley Tinch preceded her in death.  

She is survived by children, Robert E. Tinch of Kansas City, Kansas; daughter, Diana Carter (husband Joe), of Leawood, Kansas; and Lisa Tinchm of Las Vegas, Nevada; grand children, Kia Burns (husband Jimmy) of Chicago, Illnois; Candice Jones of Wichita, Kansas; Ebony Simmons (husband Jared) of Atlanta, Georgia; Jordan Carter of Freemont, California; and Lauren J. Tinch of Kansas City, Missouri; five great-grandchildren; three remaining siblings, eldest sister, Ophelia Combs of Kanas City, Kansas; and two younger brothers, Eddie McDonald (wife Janie) of Kansas City, Kansas; and Charles McDonald of Los Angeles, California; four sisters-in-law, Gladys Tingling of Los Angeles, California; Charlotte Ann Goodseal of Grandview, Missouri; Mae Frances Smith (husband Howard) of Rome, New York; and Connie Sue Christiana of San Diego, California; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends throughtout the United Sttes and Norway.  You can see the beauty of a person by the beauty left behind,  Barbara leaves behind a legacy of love to proudly carry on.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jean (McDonald) Tinch, please visit our floral store.