Johnnie “Butterball” Barbee, was born on January 5, 1947 in Chatham County, North Carolina, son of the late James “Pap” and Elneter Wilson Barbee. On Monday, May 14, 2018, he quietly transitioned into eternal rest at his Statesville NC home.
Johnnie received his education at Horton Public School, in Pittsboro NC and was a graduate of the class of 1966. Johnnie gave his life to Christ at an early age and was a member of Holland Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Apex NC. Later in life, he became a member of Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, Harrisburg PA.
As a young man, Johnnie worked the family farm with his father and his Uncle Romie Wilson. After leaving the farm, he went to work at Poplar Apartments in Durham NC. He was later employed by UNC of Chapel Hill NC. It was in Chapel Hill NC that he found he professional passion - long distance truck driving with Pilot Trucking. He later moved to Harrisburg Pennsylvania and was employed by ABF Trucking where remained until his retirement. Johnnie was a member of the Masons Lodge- Chapter 16, Steelton PA.
“Butterball,” as he was known by those close to him, loved his family and friends and was an avid Philadelphia Eagles football fan. Johnnie was quite the conversationalist – both serious and funny. He loved working with his hands and always had a building or remodeling project that he was working on, which led him to another passion - wood. Johnnie found so much joy and happiness in the hours he spent cutting, hauling, splitting and stacking wood.
In addition to his parents, Johnnie was predeceased in death by his sons, Brian Barbee and Leslie Neely.
Johnnie’s life and memory will be cherished by his devoted wife, Maggie M. Barbee; his sons; Khalill McCann, Fletcher Barbee (Dawn) of Durham NC, and Aaron McCann (Sonja) of Harrisburg PA. His daughters; Crystal Barbee of Mebane NC; Althea Roy of Harrisburg PA, Marcia Anderson of Delaware; nine grandchildren: Fletcher Barbee Jr, (Jasmine), Brianna Wright (Dante), Chelsie Barbee, Maggie Neely, O’Neal Neely (Tilita), Herbert Lightsey Jr., Leslie Neely-Anderson, J’ Lynn McCann, and Issiah McCann; nine great-grandchildren: Tyler ”TJ”, Amyra, Dante Jr ”DJ”, Karie, Airazhae, Ciera, Owassa, Onasis, Takara, and JayShawn “BJ” Simmons, two great-great-grandchildren: Deana and Tanaya; siblings: Henry Barbee (Bernice), George Barbee (Carol) of Apex NC, Dwight Barbee of Sanford NC, Donald Barbee (Denise) of Durham NC and Ronald Barbee of Four Oaks NC; Sarah Stroud (John) of Apex NC and Wanda McKinney (Isaiah) of Chapel Hill NC, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
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