Barbara Shirley Brooks Barr

Barbara Shirley Brooks Barr age 80 a resident of Belhaven, NC died Saturday, July 4, 2020.
Barbara Brooks Barr — Friends and family, my work here is done! I have survived more than you will ever know and all I ask is that you stay strong in the coming years, as the only constant you will see, is change. I was able to have five wonderful kids, 14 successful grandchildren, and to be honest, I lost count after the 15th great-grandchild, but I know they will make a positive impact in this World. I have close friends and extended family all over the World. You’ve all given me so much to be thankful for in 80 years on this Earth. No amount of money could buy what you gave me. Whether you referred to me as Mom, Buck, Bucky, GMA, Grandma Candy, or just Barbara, you know that I loved you very much. I have had the most precious life of loving, laughing, and watching you all grow.

But you should know, it was not always easy. There are aspects of this life that we cannot control. Take opportunities to control those things, such as your actions and the love you show one another. Life is all about timing and perspective (attitude) in any situation you find yourself. Just two weeks after I was born, Hitler invaded Poland, and WWII soon followed. He would go on to kill six million in the Jewish community. When I was only 10, I saw how apartheid in South Africa ripped apart their Country and oppressed freedoms. By my 20th birthday, Fidel Castro had just assumed power of Cuba, and we know how that ended. At age 30, the Vietnam War was nearing the 10 year mark and would go on for another 10 years, while human rights violations and War Crimes spread throughout the Middle East and Africa. Over the next 50 years I saw so much evil in other parts of the World. I overcame this by cherishing each day with my family and hunting for the good in every situation. I remained resilient and aware of my surroundings here at home but had an appreciation for what we could become if divided. You see, I have lived through 14 different Presidents, all taking their turn at leading the Greatest Country in the Free World. Although we, the American people, have had our ups and downs, the liberties we have today are secured by brave men and women, and desired by people all over the World.

The true strength of our Nation starts in small towns like this – Bath, Belhaven, Pantego, Pungo, Washington, and Plymouth. Want to know my secret for living a happy 80 years? Have faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Love and respect yourself – your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Manage expectations and forgive often. I’ve battled cancers, diabetes, and grief of losing my husband Raymond Peter Brooks Sr., daughter Dawn Credle, and son Ray Ray Jr., and have weathered the storm to make it to a new season. When I dealt with all of these things, I was not alone – you were there for me every step of the way. You offered a helping hand and I gave back in any way I could. I ask that in this time of bereavement you deal with grief and mourning, but also celebrate my life. Let family and friends be closer than ever, to pull each of you through things that you cannot change. You know it is what I would want and ultimately what needs to happen. Start the change, right now, that this country needs, to get back to being United.

I wanted to say a special Thank You to my husband Charlie, for making the last decade an amazing chapter in my book called Life. To my beautiful daughter Dawn and handsome son Ray Ray, mama’s home! To my living children Debbie Wilkins, Lorri Brooks Moree, and Kelley Brooks Franks, I need yall to be strong and keep the family together, no matter what. To my charming Grandkids, Patrick Small, David Moree, Kristina Small, RaeAnn Moore, Cory Paniagua Sr., Brandon Paniagua, Aaron Small, Michael Paniagua, Dominic Franks, Petre Franks Jr., Jonathan Brooks, Cheyenne Franks, Steven Brooks and Montana Selby – my heart is full of joy and I am proud of who you are. I will be your guiding light into the future and give Pop a break from being your Guardian Angel, so he can finally finish building that boat. I love yall to the moon and back and will have fresh baked goodies waiting for you one day. Please look after each other, make wise decisions, and keep your parents straight. Your spouses and kids are a special part of this unique family and I hope that they enjoy it as much as I have.

By the way, I am sitting up here with my parents, siblings, childhood friends and of course Ray Ray and Dawn. While writing this they got the pig pickin’ roasting and we are steaming crabs. Can someone water my plants and help Charlie out with the yard. It’s time for me to get back to the party – Pop and I are playing darts and horseshoes against Ray Ray and Dawn. I can’t believe, they really think they are going to beat us. Don’t they know Pop has his secret weapon back – mama “Bear”. I’ve already lost a few pounds eating these heavenly treats and I’m able to fit into some new dancing shoes. Oh wow – Elvis is signing, gotta go – See yall later!

A small, private celebration of my life (August 31, 1939 – July 4, 2020) will be held for my close family at St. Clair’s Church of Christ, 9814 NC HWY 99 S, Bath, NC 27808, on Wednesday night July 8, 2020 at 7:30 pm, followed by a funeral on Thursday morning July 9, 2020, beginning at 10:30 am at the same location. Burial will follow at the Credle Cemetery at the end of Kelly Rd in Bath, NC.

The family request that donations be made in lieu of flowers to help the family cover the funeral expenses. Donations can be made in Barbara’s memory c/o Charles Barr 6888 NC Highway 99 N. Pantego , NC 27860.

You may share a memory with the family by visiting www,josephpaulfdl.com.
Joseph B. Paul, Jr. Funeral Director Licensee of Washington is serving the Barr family.
View Celebration of Life Video