Rev. Barbara Lou Irvine PhD

Born May 2nd, 1936, in Los Angeles, California, Barbara was the daughter of Josephine and Lou Irvine. Barbara was an accomplished scholar. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Southern California, where she was the President of the Education Department. A few years later, she went on to earn a Master’s in Art Education. Later in life, she earned her second Master’s Degree in Church Leadership at Vanguard University. At 80 years, she earned a Doctorate in Philosophy from Louisiana Baptist University. Barbara was a gifted educator, teaching students at the collegiate, secondary and elementary level. She was also, perhaps most notably, a master artist, who captured beauty and wonder on the canvas through her water color and oil pieces. She owned and operated several art stores throughout her life. And the artwork she has left behind continues to be a source of joy and inspiration to her family and friends.

Her accomplishments in art, academia and education are remarkable. However, it is her heart for the Lord that made Barbara Irvine the magnificent woman we all knew her to be. In her mid-forties, Barbara committed her life to the Lord. She loved God and His people wholeheartedly. She demonstrated love, joy, peace, kindness, patience and selflessness to everyone she encountered. She was fearless when it came to sharing the good news of the gospel. Strangers she encountered quickly became friends, and those friends, if they were not already, often became brothers and sisters in Christ. She was an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God Church. For five years, she was the pastor of the River of Life Church in Guerneville, California. Her work for the Lord continued well beyond her time there. Even in her final days, she lifted her friends and family up in prayer. Her prayers, encouraging words, masterful art and joyful presence will be sorely missed.