Lisa "Joanie" Barber

She was born on August 18, 1957, in Anchorage, Alaska. As the daughter of an Air Force family, she spent her childhood in many places, including Arlington, Virginia; the Philippines; Goldsboro, North Carolina; and Poquoson, Virginia, before her family eventually settled in Lenoir, North Carolina, following her father’s retirement.

Joanie graduated from Western Carolina University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and dedicated her life to caring for others as a Registered Nurse. Shortly after graduation, she married the love of her life, Ted A. Barber Jr., on May 26, 1979. The two met in college and built a life rooted in love, faith, and family, sharing 46 years of marriage and navigating nine moves across the country in support of Ted’s career with The Coca-Cola Company.

Following Ted’s retirement, they moved to Dataw Island, South Carolina, where Joanie discovered a second passion in life: golf. She became deeply involved in the Dataw Island Women’s Golf Association (DIWGA) and proudly served as President of its Board. She cherished the friendships she made through the game, enjoyed participating in tournaments, and especially loved playing couples golf with Ted every Sunday.

Throughout her nursing career, Joanie served in several roles, beginning as a hospital nurse, later supporting a surgical practice, and ultimately finding her true calling as a school nurse, a role she dearly loved.

A woman of deep faith, Joanie was actively involved in the churches her family attended throughout the years. She taught both children’s and adult Sunday School classes and also served faithfully as a Discussion Leader with Bible Study Fellowship in Atlanta, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida.

Above all, Joanie will be remembered as an exceptionally kind, compassionate, and empathetic woman. She loved her husband, children, and grandchildren with all her heart and was truly the cornerstone of her family. Her warmth, strength, and steady love were a blessing to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles T. Cottle of Lenoir, North Carolina.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Teddy A. Barber Jr. of Lake Mary, Florida; her son, Gregory A. Barber and his fiancée, Destiny Hooks, of Oviedo, Florida; her grandchildren, Jackson, Sophie, and Wyatt Barber; her daughter, Elizabeth D. Barber and her husband, Christopher Harding, of Macon, Georgia; her mother, Virginia Dawn Cottle of Lenoir, North Carolina; her sisters, Debbie Dickman of Winter Springs, Florida, and Nancy Cottle of Asheville, North Carolina; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Advent Health In-Patient Hospice Altamonte facility for the care and compassion shown to Joanie in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Baldwin Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel, 5000 County Road 46A, Sanford, Florida, on March 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Visitation with the family will begin at 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) at pancan.org.