Barbara O Jones

Actress, filmmaker, radio DJ, and holistic healer Barbara 0, transitioned peacefully at her home in Dayton, Ohio, on April 8, 2024. She was 82.

Barbara O was born in Asheville, North Carolina on December 6, 1941, to Alberta and Samuel Robinson. During Barbara and her brother, Raymond's early childhood their mother remarried. Alberta's new husband, Maurice Minor stepped in and lovingly raised Barbara and Ray as his own. Through their union Barbara O's younger brother, Marlon was born. At the age of 16, Barbara O married her high school sweetheart, William Jones. Their union produced two beautiful children, William "Mshinda" Jones and Gina "Makini" Jones. Barbara O's parents believed in the value of education. They emphasized the importance of her achieving advanced degrees. Highly spirited and determined, Barbara O graduated with her bachelor's degree from Wright State University where she majored in speech and theater. She later obtained her master's degree from Antioch University. At 27 years old, Barbara O got her first taste of fame when she joined the team at Dayton, Ohio's first Black owned radio station, WDAO. On air, Barbara O was known as Bobbi Montgomery the Black Fox. She loved connecting with the community through music, and often granted callers their requests for playing extended versions of their favorite songs. She married Robert Earl "Bashiri" Price on September 29, 1971. Their union produced one child, Dhati Price. Together, Barbara O and Bashiri raised Mshinda, Makini and Dhati. She taught her children the importance of following their intuition, knowing their historical roots, and pursuing their dreams. Barbara Owasa leading lady of the LA Rebellion film movement of the late 1970s and many independent films during her long career including starring in Robert L. Goodwin's crime drama Black Chariot (1971), Haile Geri.ma's seminal Bush Mama (1975), Child of Resistance (1972), Julie Dash's Diary of an African Nun (1977), Yellow Mary in Julie's celebrated feature Daughters Of The Dust (1991), S. Pearl Sharp's poetry short Back Inside Herself (1984), Zeinabu Irene Davis' A Powerful Thang (1991 ), the Tanzanian feature by Martin Mhando, Ron and Queenae Mulvihill Maangamizi: The Ancient One as Asira (2001), and other independents. In Hollywood she played Muhammad Ali's wife in Freedom Road and appeared in guest roles on several episodic TV shows. With her strong respect for the healing arts and ancient mystery healing systems, Barbara O produced a documentary on the esteemed Senegalese healer Ma'am Adji Fatou Seek. She created and conducted Sistership Healing Rituals around the country to support wellness lifestyles. For decades Barbara O has baffled many with her extended periods of silence, but for her it was "My favorite spiritual practice, a beautiful way to hear life. " Barbara O is survived by her children, Mshinda, Makini and Dhati; grandchildren, Ariana, Phylicia, Philip, Jamal and Bashiri Halan; great grandson Brayden; siblings, Raymond and Marlon Minor; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of extended family and friends. May her light shine on our hearts forever.