Constance Carriere Barkley

Constance Wilbourn Carriere Barkley whispered her last “I love you’s” to her daughters in the early morning hours of June 27, 2026. She left this world accompanied by Willie Nelson’s rendition of “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain.” She loved Willie and once recounted, in her uniquely wonderful dialect that, “He kissed me on the lips and I didn’t catch anything.”

When asked her occupation, Constance would smile and say, “Loving wife and mother.” Warmth, unconditional love and devotion for family and friends defined her. She was married to Newton Buckner Barkley, Jr. (Bucky) for 63 years and raised three daughters: Charlotte Barkley Mercer (Steve), Constance Barkley Lewis (Dale) and Virginia Barkley.

She was born on January 3, 1937 to Charlotte Wilbourn Carriere and Charles Pierre Carriere, Jr. in Meridian, Mississippi, the hometown of her maternal grandparents. She spoke fondly of summers with her Meridian cousins, George and Mary, and the life lessons she learned from her beloved Granny. Constance lived the first 86 years of her life in New Orleans. Following the death of her husband, she moved to Atlanta to be nearer to her girls.

She graduated from Louise S. McGehee School where she served as 8th and 12th Grade Class President; later, as a McGehee parent, she served as President of the Parents’ League, President of the Alumni Association, and as her Class Representative in her 80’s.

During the 1957 Carnival season, she was selected to reign as Queen of both the Krewe of Proteus and the High Priests of Mithras, a rare honor reflecting her family’s deep roots in the civic and cultural life of New Orleans. In later years, she trained Carnival kings and queens for their ceremonial roles with her unpretentious air of elegance and grace.

Constance was cheerfully industrious, consistently rising to leadership positions - from President of the High School Board at D.H. Holmes Department Store to Treasurer of her freshman class at Randolph Macon. She began her entrepreneurial career at age 12 selling Christmas cards and taught ballroom dancing to 5th and 6th graders. Her interests were diverse; she worked as a key punch operator for the Army Corps of Engineers, became a certified New Orleans tour guide from Delgado Community College, and served as the Southeastern representative for Camp Greystone. She launched her mother in her “Cheese Straws and Confectionaries” business and served on the Board of the Marrero Land and Improvement Association for 43 years. She knitted silk scarves that she both sold and donated. In 2025 when she exhibited her scarves at her Lenbrook Senior Living Community art show, she was delightfully surprised when she received a commission. She remained curious and adventurous throughout her life.

She lived to love, serve, and encourage others, setting a high standard for her daughters. She volunteered as a teacher’s aide at Robert E. Lee public elementary school in New Orleans. When her children had school holidays, she brought them to read, sing, and make crafts with the students. She was active in the Orleans Club, Le Petit Salon, and the Colonial Dames of America. She held numerous leadership positions with the Junior League of New Orleans; as a League Sustainer, she enjoyed being active in the Interior Decorating Club and the Garden Club. Some of her favorite volunteer memories were sewing puppets for hospitalized children, performing the Can Can in the Junior League fundraiser Follies, and single handedly creating a show-stopping patio garden that won a certification as an official “North American Host Butterfly Garden.” A plaque hangs at Junior League headquarters as evidence of her work.

She had a unique way of moving through life and was quietly independent. When she wanted the living and dining rooms in her home repainted, she simply did it herself wearing a dress and heels - yes, even when on the ladder rolling the ceilings. When her landscape service proved unreliable, she mowed her lawn weekly - again, in a dress and heels. Her daughters fondly remember shopping trips when she would try on a dress at Town & Country and say, “What do you think?” Following their ambivalent responses, she would say, “Well, I can wear this to the grocery.”

In her later years she created her Circle of Five, a group of men from whom she accepted help, each favor always compensated with a thank you note and a little treat. When she moved to Atlanta, she expanded the circle to include her hairdresser, her private yoga instructor, and the staff at Lenbrook who drove her, delivered her coffee, and helped her on the bus for her Wednesday grocery run.

She met one of the original Circle of Five, Joey Baudier of American Luxury Limosine, in 2003. After he drove her several times, he went home and told his wife, “I don’t know what to do with this woman. She loves me so much and is more affectionate than anyone in my family.” For the next 23 years, her favorite pastime was having Joey drive her around New Orleans and the Southeast.

Constance could turn the most mundane outing into a memorable experience, especially when something tickled her funny bone. Her hearty laugh was contagious. Her friends and daughters will remember her as always being available for conversation, compassion, or conspiracy.

She had diverse hobbies including painting, pottery, and hosting parties for her cherished extended family. She was an avid sports enthusiast and even treated following the weather as a sport, referring to herself as “The Hippy Dippy Weather Lady.” She would keep track of impending storms in the cities where her daughters lived and call to alert them to any and all developments with vigor!

She loved riding the Lenbrook bus to the grocery with her new friends and spoke of writing a book about their escapades. Ironically, her last outing was riding that bus. As detailed as ever, she called her daughters in Atlanta to say, “It’s 1:37 pm. I’ve fallen at Kroger, Aisle 26. Can you come pick me up?” Three weeks later, heaven called.

Constance is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Charles P. Carriere, III. She is survived by her daughters, her grandchildren Annie Dorman Mercer and Worth Westcott Mercer, her great-grandson Matthew Mercer, her sister-in-law Cynthia Doyle Carriere, her cousins, nieces and nephews. Her daughters send special thanks to Joey Baudier, Beverly Martineau, Jay Schwall, and Dr. Dedric Clarke for their devoted love and care.

She was a bright light through her last breath . For those grieving her departure, 89 years were not enough. We are comforted by remembering what she would often say when signing off: “Wrap your arms around yourself, give yourself a huge hug, and carry on in your own wonderful way!”

Carry on in your own wonderful way, mama. We will miss you every day.

Constance was born a Catholic but identified as a Presbyterian. Her Atlanta service will be held on Thursday, August 20, 11am at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road with a reception to follow. Her New Orleans service will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 12 noon at St.Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1545 State Street, followed by a reception at Audubon Clubhouse, 6975 Magazine Street. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Louise S. McGehee School, Second Harvest Food Bank, www.la-adoptafamily.com, or a charity of your choice. Love, hugs and kisses, and all best wishes.