ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Ida Shaw Applewhite Barber, 93, of St. Petersburg, Fla., passed away Sunday, June 21, 2009.

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She was born in Durham, raised in Halifax, and upon graduating from Weldon High School at the tender age of 16, she immediately enrolled in Duke University and received her B.A. four years later. She was active in the Glee Club, Alpha Phi Sorority, and other extracurricular activities. She then continued at Duke in the Graduate School of Nursing, received her degree in October of 1939 and was certified as a registered nurse by the State of North Carolina one month later.

After her marriage to William “Bill” L. Barber Sr., they resided in Charlotte, where she started and opened the first chapter of the American Red Cross in Charlotte. Other positions she thrived at were The Visiting Nurses Association of St. Petersburg, director of nursing at the start up of the Neighborly Center for elderly day care, director of nursing for the St. Petersburg Chapter of the American Red Cross, lead disaster coordinator for the ’77 Kentucky mudslide disaster, as well as manning first aid stations at the Festival of States Parade. A long term member of Pasadena Community Church, she served in a wide variety of volunteer roles. In her earlier years at the church, she was a youth Sunday school teacher, a Sunday morning greeter, and a participating member of Horns and Halos adult fellowship. She also drew on her professional skills as the first volunteer parish nurse, parish visitor and a member of the Christian Counseling Center. The world is a lesser place in her absence.

 She is survived by a daughter, Amy Clement of Valrico, Fla.; her sons, Robert S. Barber of Queensbury, N.Y., and William Barber; a sister, Geneva Stanley of Woodland; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., with the funeral service at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, June 25, at R. Lee Williams & Son Funeral Home, 3530 49th St. N., St. Petersburg, which is handling the arrangements. Interment will be at a later date in Halifax.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in her memory to your favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made at www.rlwilliams.com.