A little girl was born in 1961. She lived on Rollstone Ave. Her name was Barbara Verspoor.
She was a beautiful young girl. When she was only eight, she lost her hearing from a childhood illness. She was now deaf.
However, she turned out to be gifted beyond many’s ability to appreciate.
In the 60s, 70s, and 80s, being Deaf was considered a handicap. But Barbara’s Deafness was not a handicap at all, it was an opportunity to grow, to learn, to live, to love, to celebrate, and yes, to sing. Through her faith, she maintained a positive outlook in all her endeavors.
So who was Barbara Verspoor Burns?
Barbara was born September 19, 1961, to Louis Verspoor and Carolyn Van Wyen Verspoor. The family can trace their family roots back to Leendert Verspoor arriving with his family in the late 1850s. And John Van Wyen also arrived at the same time. Both families originated in the Netherlands.
When Barbara lost her hearing, her mother and father played a large role in her education and learning. Barbara and her mother Carolyn studied sign together at Suffolk Rehabilitation Center and the Cleary School. Barbara learned to lip read and fingerspelling at an early age. Barbara studied hard through her early years.
Barbara became an honors student at Sayville High School. She graduated in the class of 1979.
Barbara had a long list of accomplishments —
She was an active member of her church in Sayville, New Life Community Church.
She attended and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.
Barbara was on the college’s dean list.
She was an officer of the Gallaudet Christian Fellowship.
Barbara was a member of the Alpha Pho Omega National Service Fraternity.
Barbara was a member of Phi Aloha Pi Honor Society.
Barbara was a member of Who’s Who Among College Students.
Barbara went to Western Maryland College and received her Master’s in Deaf Education 1985
Barbara loved singing and was in many performing music groups-two were
“Love &Inspiration “ & “Hand In Harmony”
Barbara loved singing and signing, especially Amy Grant songs.
Barbara met and married Brent Allen Burns at Gallaudet University and married in 1986. Sadly, her first child died at birth.
Barbara has two adopted children-Rachel and Jordan
Barbara taught school at Lake Air Middle School in Texas
Barbara was a member of Columbus Ave. Baptist Church in Texas.
Barbara was the Director of “Hands for Him” sign language choir
She was secretary of the Waco Deaf Club and a member of the Waco Deaf Christian Fellowship.
Barbara had a lifelong battle with heart disease.
Sadly, Barbara died in 2006 from heart disease at 44.
Barbara’s family has much to be proud of and celebrate. Barbara proved to be Deaf was not a handicap at all, but a gift. She used her gift to help others in the Deaf community throughout her life.
So much accomplished in such a short time! Barbara truly was a blessing to all those she knew.
Barbara Verspoor Burns 1961-2006
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