Barbara Jo Phillips Thurber

Barbara was born in Guilford County, North Carolina on December 5, 1947, to the late Earlie and Josephine Phillips. After high school, she began working as a hairdresser.

In the early 1980’s, Barbara decided to go back to college and change careers to better care for her growing family. She attended Forsyth Technical Community College where she earned her associate’s degree in business and accounting. After earning this degree, she began working for Wachovia, now Wells Fargo. In 2002, Barbara went back to school at High Point University to get her bachelor’s degree and graduated with honors. She retired from Wells Fargo after 20 years of service to help care for her sister during her battle with cancer. Barbara refused to stay retired and went back to work as an accountant for Krispy Kreme.

Barbara was an avid Seventh-day Adventist. She began her love of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in her teenage years. She was a member of Clemmons Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship, where she found her home with the church and became a member of their family. She volunteered wherever she could.

In her spare time, Barbara enjoyed attending dance classes. She took any class she could ranging from ballroom to line dancing. She also enjoyed reading, studying her daily devotions, and gardening, and everyone loved her fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. Barbara looked forward to her weekly lunches with her best friends. She was also an avid chocolate lover and loved her kitties!! But above all, Barbara loved her family.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Keeton, and nephews, Ray Keeton and Brent Phillips. She leaves behind her husband of 45 years, William H. Thurber, Sr.; son, Jason E. Thurber; stepson, William H. Thurber, Jr.; brother, David (Robin) Phillips; sister, Rena Pike; nephews, Lee Phillips, Timothy Pike, and Paul Pike; her in-laws, the Thurber family; her best friends, Mandy Burnette and Carole Watkins; and many other loved ones and friends.

A memorial service will be held for Barbara on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 11:00 am at Clemmons Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship. Barbara loved flowers, but in lieu of flowers donations can be made to her church via mail or online at clemmonssda.net or to the ASPCA or Humane Society in her honor.