Barbara is survived by 5 sons, Peter and wife Pat, their daughter, her granddaughter Wendy Darling Rogers and husband David and their sons (Barbara's great grandsons) Hunter and Holden of Raleigh, Bruce of Winston Salem, Kevin and wife Annie and their daughter (Barbara's granddaughter) Kathleen of Ringwood, NJ, David and wife Linda of Kennewick, WA and Brian and wife Aimee of Dunkirk, MD.
She was predeceased by her beloved brother Malcolm Brown.
Barbara was born in New Orleans, LA on June 14th, 1925. She attended Newcomb College of Tulane University and the University of Texas at Austin. She worked as a candy striper during WWII and loved to dance as a ballet dancer. She met her future husband, Rusty, at a working ranch in Texas the day before her 18th birthday. It was love at first sight! They were married on July 27, 1946.
Barbara and Rusty spent the first twelve years of their marriage in Texas before moving to Raleigh. Their summers were spent traveling in a VW bus and later with an Airstream trailer. Colorado was their favorite destination. They loved Colorado so much that for many years they had a second home in Colorado Springs. This was their home base from which they headed out to explore mountain roads and mining towns.
Barbara was a devoted mother to her five sons for over 30 years as they grew up and left home. She drove car pools, helped with homework, cooked thousands of meals, threw surprise birthday parties and ensured the boys had broad experiences through music instrument lessons, cotillion classes, Cub and Boy Scouts, horseback riding and summer camps.
In later years, Barbara and Rusty started traveling around the world touching every continent. They loved to cruise and many times were recognized as the most traveled on the ship by Princess Cruises. Many times Barbara and Rusty would take their entire family on the cruises.
Barbara ("Mama D") was a very active member of St. Michaels Episcopal Church, volunteering for many committees including heading the Altar Guild. She loved her church and the people associated with it.
After Rusty passed away, Mama D moved to the Springmoor Retirement Community. She loved to walk up and down all the hallways visiting her friends and especially enjoyed going to the health center to help uplift those who were confined to their beds. Barbara will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
A memorial service in thanksgiving of her life will be held on Friday, Dec.14, 2018 at 2:00 pm at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Road, Raleigh. The family will receive friends following the service in the parish hall of St. Michael's.
Her family would like to thank Springmoor, Rex Hospital and Hospice Home for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to St. Michael's Episcopal Church or to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, St. Mary's Street, Raleigh.
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