Barbara Banks Creech, affectionately known as “Barbara Jean” departed this life on Monday, November 27, 2023, at her home. She was born on June 29, 1932, in Zebulon, NC; the third of eight children, to the parentage of the late Joseph Hopkins, Sr. and Rena Wiggs Hopkins. She was ninety-one years old.

Barbara received her education in the Wake County public school system and was a 1950 Berry O’Kelly High School graduate. She grew up in a loving close-knit family and shared a special bond with her siblings. One of the many good times they shared was dancing. She loved to dance and was known for keeping up with the latest dance moves, but at one point was chastised by her father for doing the “huckabuck.”

Barbara was raised in a committed Christian home and accepted the Lord at an early age where she attended Pleasant Grove United Church of Christ in Morrisville, NC. Around 1954, she joined New Providence Missionary Baptist Church and was a devout member for over sixty years. She served on several ministries: Deaconess, Usher Board, Pastor’s Aide, First Aide, Kitchen, Ladies Aide, and Gospel Choir. She rarely missed any programs held at the church, and she faithfully attended church outings, Sunday School, and morning and evening worship services.

Barbara always had a desire to become a homemaker and housewife at an early age. Her mother taught her to cook. She became so good at it that she was assigned the duty of assisting with preparing daily meals for her siblings after they returned from a hard day’s work on the family farm. After completing high school, she focused her efforts on developing her homemaking skills and became an excellent cook. This prepared Barbara for the next chapter in her life.

Barbara married the late Arthur Lee Banks in 1954, and to this union two children were born: the late David Nevin Banks and Donna Banks Hubert. Barbara chose to stay at home and devoted her life to caring for her family, supporting Arthur’s farm, and eventually caretaking for her mother-in-law. After the children started school, she temporarily entered the workforce in various housekeeping positions, but decided that being at home with her family was her priority.

On June 5, 1988, Barbara married Richard Creech. They were married for thirty-five years and enjoyed many happy adventures together, taking regular trips to visit family and friends. Some of their most cherished times together included attending family reunions, visiting the Mayflower historical ship and museums in Washington, DC, and traveling to Clayton, NC to visit both sides of their families. When her health allowed, she especially enjoyed assisting Richard with cleaning buildings in his evening position.

Throughout most of her life, Barbara enjoyed cooking delicious food, especially sweets to share with her family and friends. In her later years, she became an avid television viewer and spent many hours watching one of her favorite TV shows - Walker, Texas Ranger.

Barbara leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband, Richard Creech; a daughter, Donna (Wayne); daughter-in-law, Julia Banks; two grandsons, Christopher Hubert and Solomon Banks; sister, Jacqueline Gregg; brother Howard Hopkins (Edith); and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Arthur Lee Banks; son David Nevin Banks; siblings Joe Hopkins, Jr., Frank Henry Hopkins, Alice Lindsey, Charles Hopkins, and Valeria McBride.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to New Providence Baptist Church Scholarship Funds in memory of Sister Barbara Creech.

Please write the check to New Providence Baptist Church

Memo: Scholarship Fund – Barbara Creech

Visitation: 12:00 - 5:00 pm Monday, December 4, 2023, at Trice Funeral Home Chapel, 127 N. West Street in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.

Wake: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at New Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.

Funeral will be held 12:00 pm Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at New Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 4813 Hilltop Needmore Road in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.

Burial: Church Cemetery