Barbara Hughes Kah

Barbara Ann Hughes Kah (Binta) was born March 18, 1945 in McDonough, GA. to the late Willie Mae Hughes. Barbara along with her sister, Georgia Alice Hughes Murray whom preceded her in death, was raised by their grandmother, the late Georgia Holland Hughes in McDonough, GA. In her early years she attended Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. She entered eternal rest on March 3, 2014 in Charlotte, NC. Barbara graduated from Henry County Training School in 1963 and Grady Nursing School as a Registered Nurse in 1965. She continued her education at Georgia State University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. After nursing school, she worked at Grady where she cared for cancer patients. In 1977, Barbara moved to The Gambia/West Africa to join her husband, the late Omar Kah. Barbara’s passion for nursing and caring for people did not end at Grady; in The Gambia, she worked at Royal Victoria Hospital where she cared for patients with the worst ailments showing them kindness and compassion. She also taught nursing at the SEN school. In the 1980’s, Barbara acquired what she considered her dream job as the Peace Corp Medical Officer. This experience allowed her to work in remote villages and to travel to different countries in Africa and beyond. Most importantly, in the 26 years with Peace Corp, she was afforded the opportunity to touch many lives. She has “mothered, mentored, cared for, laughed with and cried with thousands of Peace Corps Volunteers”(Erica Burman, PCV). She maintained that position until 2009 when illness caused her to retire. Barbara will be forever loved and cherished by her son, Alieumass Kah (Sainey); daughter, Sukai Kah and grandson, whom she raised as her own, Baboucarr Kah and three children by marriage; Kebba Kah (Aye); Ebou Kah (Mamie) and Ida Kah; her siblings, Dariel Hughes, Donald Hughes, Deborah Hughes, Ethel Hughes and Pamela Hughes, 9 grandchildren and two nieces Binta Touray (Ebrima), Ya Haddy Sadio (Ousman). She is also survived by numerous cousins, the Kah, Njie and Jow families in The Gambia and abroad, her global Peace Corps family, godchildren and friends.

Barbara Hughes Kah

March 18, 1945 - March 3, 2014