Barbara Christine Yelton Perry

Barbara Christine Yelton Perry of Salisbury passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Novant Health Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. She was born on March 30, 1943, in Hillsborough County, Florida, the daughter of the late Paul David Yelton and the late Carrie Mitchell Stewart Yelton. Barbara was a graduate of Greensboro Women's College, which is now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church where she sang in the choir, served on the Vestry as Senior Warden, St. Luke's Foundation, Mission Committee as chairperson, the Altar Guild, Habitat Build as co-chairperson, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and at Rowan Helping Ministries shelter. Barbara will long be remembered as a tireless civic volunteer, initiating and guiding many community efforts. Her ability to read the political barometer made her extremely effective. She had a world-class memory for details, and she had a way of convincing people to do things they may not have "volunteered" for on their own -- but always for the good of the Salisbury community. She was also a longtime member of the Canterbury Book Club, enjoyed traveling with friends, and played bridge for more than 40 years with her Tuesday club. Barbara was a volunteer on Salisbury community and city boards for over 40 years, serving on Salisbury's very first Community Appearance Commission (1980), which created the city's landscape ordinance, and continuing to serve for many years, including as chairperson. She was part of the initial group to make Hurley Park a reality in 1984 and was instrumental in the formation of the Public Art Committee (2003) and served as its longtime chair, guiding its transformation into a Public Arts Commission in 2022 and overseeing all of its programs, including the History and Art Trail, the Salisbury Sculpture Show (which won the 2016 National Mayor's Council Award), and several permanent art installations around the downtown area, including Cotton Mills Corner. Barbara assisted in the creation of the city's annual BlockWork project (which won the National Make A Difference Day Award in 2011). She helped lead the formation of the Housing Advocacy Commission in 2015 and served as its first chair. She served on and often chaired many other boards and committees, including the Hurley Park Advisory Board and the Tourism and Cultural Development Commission; was a founding member of the Tree Board; served as president of the Salisbury-Rowan Symphony Guild; and was active with Habitat for Humanity, Historic Salisbury Foundation, October Tour, Rowan Arts Council, the Community Care Clinic, the Dixonville-Lincoln Memorial Task Force, and the city's Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. She was also part of Action for Faith and Justice when the Equal Justice Initiative Marker was installed on North Church Street. Barbara received several notable commendations for her community efforts including the James Allan Dunn Jr. Community Appearance Award in 2008 for outstanding dedication and support of beautification, an Award of Appreciation from the Community Appearance Commission in 2013 for exceptional service as the commission chair (May 2005-April 2013), the City of Salisbury Mayor's Cup in 2014, and the Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Award in 2017. In 2023, the City of Salisbury honored Barbara with a proclamation and presented her with the key to the city, given by Mayor Karen Alexander, in recognition of her 40-plus years of dedicated volunteerism and community service. Barbara leaves an indelible mark on the city she loved. In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Mark Braswell Perry, Sr. Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Mark Braswell Perry, Jr.; daughters, Elizabeth Perry Bullock and Cynthia Perry Borjes; brothers, David Ronald Yelton and wife Kathy, and Paul David Yelton. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Perry family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Barbara Christine Yelton Perry

March 30, 1943 - August 22, 2026