Rev. B. U. Faulkner

Rev. Barbara U. Faulkner, 75, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

She was born on February 21, 1951 in Fayette, Kentucky to the late Rev. James and Gladys (Nunley) Higgins. She is also preceded in death by her husband, William Faulkner, brothers, James "Jimmy" L. Higgins, III, and Rev. Johnathon Nunley Higgins.

Barbara was first and foremost a believer and a child of God. She lived her faith out loud—embodying the teachings of Jesus Christ not only as the founder and pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, but in every step, every word, and every act of her life.

A lifelong educator and disciple, Barbara was devoted to uplifting others. She was a natural teacher—one who didn’t just instruct, but inspired. While raising her children, she opened her heart and home to the neighborhood, gathering children from surrounding streets on Saturdays, feeding them, teaching them, and surrounding them with love and community. At Greater First Baptist Church, she faithfully served through choir leadership, Bible studies, and countless ministries, growing in faith alongside her father and her church family.

Barbara believed in nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. She encouraged others to care for themselves fully, even leading fitness classes as an extension of her ministry. She believed you should stand strong in the world, but remain rooted in Christ. Fiercely independent yet deeply loving, she was a devoted wife and mother who raised her children to be strong, compassionate, and self-sufficient—just as she was.

She never met a stranger she wouldn’t speak to about the Lord. With patience, warmth, and without judgment, she guided others toward God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. She was, at her core, a missionary—called not just to preach, but to reach. Grounded in both lived experience and formal theological training through her studies at Boyce College, Barbara carried a deep and studied understanding of the Word. Yet she had a rare gift: she could translate that depth into something simple, relatable, and real for anyone she encountered. Barbara made the gospel accessible to all, bridging academic insights with everyday truths.

Her faith was unwavering, eternal and can be surmised in her most sacred and most high: God is…

Barbara is survived by her loving children, Jennowah "Nowah" U. Labrada Ferrera, Robert C. Unseld, Jr. (Elizabeth), Michael Faulkner, Brian Faulkner (Rachel), Latanya C. Unseld, grandchildren, Janessa L. Unseld, Delfyna I. Labrada, Robert C. Unseld, III, Alyssa M. Unseld, Jacob C. Unseld, Quentin Faulkner, Jalen Faulkner, James A. Faulkner, Eleanor R. Faulkner, Kimberly Stokes, Jeremy R. Waldren; twin sibling, Brenda L. Higgins, sisters, Bonnie Higgins Grant and sister-in-law, Sandra D. Higgins. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am until the time of the memorial service at 12:00 pm on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, KY 40243).

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