Barbara Jean Ambler, affectionately known as Barbara Jean or Bobbie to many, was born August 28, 1932 in Kansas City, Kansas, to the late Burnett Ambler, Sr. and Verbelena Ambler. She attended grade school in Kansas City and graduated high school in Chanute, Kansas. She later attended junior college where she obtained her Registered Nursing Certificate.

Barbara, while in school, met and later married Stanley Vann Sr., February 18, 1951. This union brought forth a beautiful and blessed family of seven children. Barbara accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and raised her children to do the same.

Barbara was extremely passionate about helping others and worked as a RN in Independence, Kansas before relocating to Tucson, Arizona in 1971. Once in Tucson, that same passion led to serve a more diverse role and she became the Director of two Head start Childcare Development Centers in the Tucson area of Pima County.

As a promise to her mother before her passing, Barbara agreed to move back to Kansas City to care for her siblings and continued working in Childcare Development until her retirement in September 2004. Barbara met and later married Mr. Morris J. Tolefree April 18, 1993 where they shared a loving life together until his passing in 2015.

Barbara was a loyal and faithful member to the Order of Eastern Star in Tucson, Az. and served from 1978-1987. Barbara truly had a passion for helping those in need so much so that she became an active member of the Tucson Urban League working to help children get a catapult into education through the Head Start Program. After relocating to Kansas City, Kansas, Barbara joined and served with the Jennie N. Moore Eastern Chapter #50 in Kansas City from 1994-1999. It was during her service that Barbara was elected and received the most high honor of serving as "Worthy Matron" in 1994.

Our loving mother, grandmother and friend Mrs. Barbara Tolefree went home to celebrate with our Lord on Thursday April 9, 2020 at 11:20 p.m. peacefully after a long illness. She was loved by many and will truly be missed.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Burnett and Verbelena Ambler, Step Father Rev. J.R. Everette; four siblings Frederick Ambler, Joseph Ambler, Marjorie Ambler, Marion Vann; daughter Vickie McGee and grandson Jordan Vann.

She leaves behind to celebrate her life and cherish loving memories: two brothers Burnett and Maurice Ambler(Doris); two sisters Virginia Hall and Grace Lane; four loving sons Stanley Vann Jr., Paul Vann(Jo Michelle), David Vann(Olivia), John Vann(Alissa); two loving daughters Berneta Vann and Mary Vann-Wilson(Clifford); eleven grandchildren: Terrance Vann, Barbracia Collins, Dominique Vann-Moore, Kesha Vann Oliver(Roderick), Joseph Vann, Amber Vann, Emily Vann, Julia Vann, Julian Vann, Josie Vann , and Jackson Vann; nineteen great-grandchildren, seventeen great-great grandchildren and a host of other relative and friends.

Service for Mrs. Tolefree will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, April 17, 2020, at the E.S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel. Burial XII Gates Memorial Gardens.  Visitation 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. Friday at the chapel.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc .