Barbara Vance Tolen

 She was born August 7, 1931 in Darlington, S.C., and lived in Charlotte most of her life. Barbara was a single parent raising her family while working full time. She was a strong woman who always supported her children.

 Later, after her children were grown, she married Joe R. Tolen. Together, they owned and operated Tolen and Associates, a textile business in Charlotte.

 They shared time, travel and family together. Barbara liked to call herself “a darling from Darlington” and delighted those around her with her wit and charm.

 She and Joe loved to dance, especially while watching “The Lawrence Welk Show.”

 Barbara was outgoing and sociable, sharing life with a large extended family that always managed to extend help, care and love to each other.

 Barbara was one of seven children of Ernest and Juanita Flowers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe R. Tolen; sister Addie Vance; brother Liston Flowers and grandson Bill Irwin.

 Survivors include her children, Zeb “Butch” Vance and wife Natalie of Mooresville, N.C., Terry Vance and wife Susan of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Carla Schiffel and husband Bob of Wilmington, N.C.; grandchildren April Vance Dubois (Dave), Shawn Vance (Sheri), Nick Vance and Bailey Echols (Douglas); five great-grandchildren; sister Betty Starnes; brothers Ed Flowers, Bert Flowers and Bill Flowers and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

 A memorial service at Wrightsville United Methodist Church is pending.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wrightsville United Methodist Church or to the Trinity Grove Staff Appreciation Fund.

 The family would like to thank the staff at Trinity Grove for the wonderful and loving care they gave to their mother. We will forever be grateful for their dedication and ask God’s blessing on all of them and their families.