Barbara Harris Richmond

Barbara Harris Richmond, 87, passed peacefully to our Lord in Heaven on January 25, 2018. Barbara Harris was born March 4, 1930 in Salisbury, NC, and was the 3rd child of Charles Theodore Harris and Lyda Gribble Harris. She was raised in Salisbury and attended Boyden High School, excelling in music, voice, drama, and dance. Early on, Barbara recognized her gift for music and pursued that throughout her life. In 1948, she enrolled at the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (WC now UNCG). As a vocal and instrumental leader at WC, she set the groundwork for many young women to follow. In the summer of 1952, after graduating with a BA in Music Education from WC, Barbara was asked by the Salisbury Jaycees to participate in the 2nd annual Miss Salisbury Contest. On a whim, she said yes. Barbara went on to claim the Miss North Carolina title a month later as well. The rest is history. Barbara married Allen Spencer in Salisbury, August 1, 1953. She taught music in the Wilson, NC and the Chapel Hill city school systems before returning to Salisbury and raising two loving sons, Steven and Scott. In the early to mid-1960s, Barbara was an awesome homemaker and she taught music and piano. In the early 70’s, Barbara met, and fell in love with David Richmond. He became her soulmate first and then her husband in 1972. Barbara continued her career as an artist and musician throughout her life. She and Dave relocated in 1973 to the close knit community of Darlington, S.C. where she continued her love for music and a new found passion for painting. There, she was very active in the choir and other activities at Saint Matthews Episcopal Church. She really enjoyed her time in Darlington and made lifelong friends that she stayed close to over the years. Barbara and Dave Richmond turned another page in 1986 and restored an old family home in Spruce Pine, NC. They opened that home as one of the first B&B’s in North Carolina and named it, “The Richmond Inn”. Many friends and family have spent very special times there in Spruce Pine over the last 30 years. Barbara sang in the choir and directed music at Trinity Episcopal Church. During that time, Barbara was a consultant and benefactor of the Penland School of Crafts in Bakersville, NC. She also explored and developed her artistic talents to begin a new career as an accomplished painter. In their later years, Barbara and Dave relocated to Ocean Isle Beach, NC where they were very active at The St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church in Shallotte, NC. They enjoyed the beach, golf, reading and retirement. Barbara, following Dave’s suggestion, returned home to Salisbury in 2005. Contrary to Thomas Wolfe, “You can always go home again” and Barbara was welcomed with open arms! She immediately made an impact on Salisbury. Extremely focused, and a multitasker from birth, Barbara volunteered and gave back to her home town with all the passion and resilience she had in her younger years. Barbara had a purpose driven life and her eyes and ears were always focused on Jesus Christ. Meals on Wheels, Rowan Helping Ministries, Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Carolina Plein Air Painters, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and many more. Barbara loved and supported all the friends she worked with over years. She never met a stranger, and although often feisty, she never said a bad word about anyone. She was an awesome Mom, Friend, and Role Model, and most importantly, always full of love. A lifelong Tar Heel fan, Barbara always loved the Carolina Blue. Dean Smith once told her that she needed to calm down. She said, “That ain’t happenen”. Special thanks go out to all the folks at Trinity Oaks Health and Rehab and specifically all the Nurses and CNA’s that loved and cared for Barbara during her stay. The family would also like to thank Darcy Verhoeven, of Salisbury. Darcy was a great friend and Barbara’s prominent care giver over the last several months. Barbara is survived by her brother, Thomas Burton Harris of Salisbury. Her sons and daughters, Steven Allen Spencer and wife Jana of Charlotte, Burton Scott Spencer and wife Callie of Duluth, GA, Paul Stephen Richmond and wife Pam of Edenton, NC, Jill Richmond Sweeten of Raleigh, and Julie Cecilia Richmond of Austin, TX. Barbara’s grandchildren are Scott Allen Spencer, Duluth, GA, Kathryn Spencer Carr, and husband Bradley, Athens, GA, Jack Andrew Wilhelm and wife Heather, Charlotte, Cortney Leigh Bickler and husband Paul, Wilmington, NC, Elizabeth Nicole Richmond, Sacramento, CA, and Abby Elizabeth Richmond, Wilmington, NC. Great grandchildren are Ari, Samuel, and Orion Bickler The celebration of a life well lived is scheduled for 2 pm on Friday February 2nd in Salisbury at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, 131 West Council Street with a special guest reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Rowan Helping Ministries, 226 N. Long St, Salisbury, NC, 28144, Hospice/Palliative Care Center of Salisbury, 720 Grove St, Salisbury, NC, 28144, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Salisbury, NC, 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Barbara Harris Richmond

March 4, 1930 - January 25, 2018