Billy Joe Barbee

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 ― Billy Joe Barbee, age 77, of the Frog Pond Community, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at Stanly Regional Medical Center with his loving family by his side.

The funeral service will be held at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 29 at 2 p.m., with a one hour state, officiated by Dr. Wayne Bennett and Rev. Yates Brooks. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends will be received following the burial, in the Fellowship Hall.

At other times, the family will meet at his home or friends are welcome to come by Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, to pay their respects.

Mr. Barbee was born in Stanly County on October 15, 1934, to the late Joseph Weldon Barbee and the late Emma Hatley Barbee. He was also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Crystal Barbee; two brothers, M.A. Barbee and J.T. Barbee and two sisters, Lela Whitley and Leola Smith.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gwendolyn Ellis Barbee of the home; three sons, Russ Barbee and his wife Terry of Oakboro, Rod Barbee and his wife Regina and Ren Barbee and his wife Robin, all of Albemarle; a daughter, Rena Heafner and her husband Ronnie of Oakboro; six sisters, Nola Belle Whitley, Ruth Teeter, Rella Huneycutt, Geneva Eudy, all of Albemarle and Gatha Whitley and Allie Whitley and her husband Tommy, all of Oakboro; he was a loving PawPaw Bill, to 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and a special friend and coworker, Archie Love.

An avid NCSU Wolfpack and Atlanta Braves fan, he retired from Charlotte Pipe as a shipping foreman after 36 years of service.  

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Stanly County.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Barbee family.

Stanly News & Press, 29 Feb 2012