Barbara Joyce Alexander-Cage was born on August 5, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late John Wiley and Malissa Mitchell Alexander. She was the youngest of their children, and she was preceded in death by her siblings: John Wiley Alexander, Jr; James Edward Alexander, Sr.; and Donna Karen Hixson.

Barbara was educated in the Cleveland Public School System. She attended John Hay and Glenville High Schools respectively before attending and being part of the inaugural graduating class of John F. Kennedy High School in January, 1967. Barbara excelled in home economics and foods classes where she honed in on her natural talents as a seamstress and chef/caterer. She began her lifelong catering career at age 11, working alongside her late aunt, Eva Bell Mathis, serving and catering dinner parties with the Cleveland Waiters Club. She also had a love for interior design, helping to decorate her parents’ homes with her mother, Malissa. She was an extremely talented party planner, and would often plan parties for free to help anyone who needed her assistance.

She loved music and could often be found humming and dancing to her favorite songs. That love of music she shared with family and friends whenever they spent time together. She enjoyed playing cards, line dancing, swimming, shopping, and taking vacations, but spending time with family and friends and cooking for them was her favorite pastime. As her late mother used to say: “There’s nothing that Barbara enjoys doing more than planning a party!” She was an industrious person, putting her all into whatever she did. Even when Barbara lost most of her sight, she continued working multiple jobs in order to support herself and her family. She discontinued working secular jobs in 1996 due to her declining vision. She was truly loving and kind and didn’t meet strangers. Her open and inviting nature drew people to her, for it was one of her greatest strengths.

Barbara married Lee Dell Cage on July 25, 1975, and to this union three children were born: Shalamar Machaud, John Marvin, and Shantelle Alecia. They also enjoyed caring for their nieces and nephews before having their own family, loving and treating them as their own. Yet, their greatest joy was realized when they were blessed with two beautiful grandchildren: Zaria Sky and Xavier Brooks Holden. Even though the two of them didn’t remain married, they continued to be committed to one another until Lee’s death on September 8, 2021.

Even though Barbara had many hobbies and interests, her greatest accomplishment was having a personal relationship with her God, Jehovah. Barbara began attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1951. She always loved the Bible and learning the truths contained within its pages. Due to circumstances she encountered in life, she didn’t attend meetings regularly for some time. After her father’s passing in May 1989, she was motivated to return to Jehovah, and Barbara was baptized on February 8, 1992. She also enjoyed serving as a continuous auxiliary pioneer for a short time. The zeal she had for the ministry brought her great joy and satisfaction. She was so happy to see her siblings, children, nieces and nephews serving as auxiliary and regular pioneers over the years.

Barbara passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at the Hospice of the Western Reserve after a prolonged illness. She is survived by her children: Shalamar Cage, John Cage (wife, Shardae), and Shantelle Holden (husband, Jacque); two grandchildren, Zaria and Xavier Holden; one sister, Delores Hodge; brother-in-law, Johnny Howard; first cousin/sister, Dorothy Brown; close sister/friends: Ernestine Ford, Belinda Holt, Diana Rivers-Milling, Regina DeMudd, Kathreen Tatum, Michelle McWilson, Drena Harvard, Barbara Seese, Shirley Hilliard, Rose Short, Renee Singleton, and Dawn Short-Bobo; one brother/friend, Douglas Rivers, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; and over nine million fellow Witnesses of Jehovah worldwide. She will be greatly missed!

Humbly Submitted,
The Family