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Obituary For Barbara Raleigh
Barbara Mae Ingram Raleigh, the youngest of fourteen children was born August 26, 1937, in Greensboro, NC to the late John Champion Ingram, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Neal Ingram. She transitioned this life peacefully surrounded by her family on May 4, 2023.
It was in her parent’s Christian home that she was taught obedience, love for God, love for fellow mankind, high moral and ethical character, and the value of education.
At the age of 13, she accepted Christ and was baptized and became a member of Turners Chapel AME Church, High Point, NC. A few years later,
she was offered a Methodist Scholarship to attend Bennett College.
Consequently, she joined Raleigh's Crossroads United Methodist Church, where she served as organist for fifteen years before becoming a member at Persimmon Grove AME Church. In 1958, Barbara was married to James Wesley Raleigh, Sr. and together they had three
had three children - Barry, James, Jr., and Traci. They were blessed to be married 63 years. Barbara obtained her education from Florence Elementary and William Penn High School, High Point, NC and Dudley High School, Greensboro, NC. Her higher education was completed at Bennett College in Business Education and Library Science, with further study at UNCG and NC A&T
State University, Greensboro, NC.
Barbara's employment consisted of assistant to the registrar at Bennett College; librarian, drama, English, music and business teacher in Rockingham and Guilford Guilford Counties. Her last employment was at Northeast Senior High School, where she taught for 27 years.
Many principals, faculty, parents, and students told how Barbara touched the lives of so many young people. She was known for her kindness, yet firmness, sense of
of humor, and firm discipline. Her success in the classroom was evidenced by her creative, unusual,
unorthodox method of teaching.
Barbara has served in numerous capacities at church, at school, and the community:
Minister of Music
Director and organist for the Senior, Men's, and Gospel Choirs
Steward, Stewardess, Missionary
Public Relations Director
Editor of the Persimmon Gazette Newsletter
Member, Health/Wellness Committee of Guilford
Composed lyrics and music to the Persimmon Grove Welcome Song
1st black secretary in the Randolph County Courthouse, 1955
1st nominee for the Outstanding Black Educators' Award, Guilford County, 1978
1st secretary for the Guilford County Business Association, 1978
1st full-time, black teacher to teach in an integrated situation in the Greensboro, High Point, and Guilford County School,
1966. The merger took place with these three systems in 1993, and they became one - Guilford County Schools.
1st to be married in Persimmon Grove Church on Dolley Madison Road, 1958
Member of 1st black bowling League, All-Star Lanes, 1963
Sang with the Guilford County Black Caucus Choir, the Glen Burleigh Concert Choir, and the Christmas Messiah Choir
A judge for the Oratorical Speaking Contest for High School Students
A judge for the FBLA State Competitive Events
Prepared spaghetti dinners for the Greensboro Post Office during the Christmas season, from 1995 to 2010
Committee member, Farlow Drive Annual Picnic
Member, North Carolina Local Retired Teachers' Association
She sponsored The Men's Annual Christmas Cantata for many years
January 13, 2018, she was presented a plaque for her courageous acts during the Greensboro Sit-ins and Civil Rights
Movement--MLK, JR. Celebration - Bennett College.
We will always remember her for her beautiful singing voice and her expertise at playing the organ for over 50 years.
Barbara leaves behind to cherish her memories: two sons, Barry (Felicia) Raleigh and James (Tonya) Raleigh; a daughter Traci
(Calvin) Miller; five grandchildren, Calasia, Triniti, Celeste, Taj, and Calvin III; one great-grandchild, Alora Mae; one sister, Alice
(Ernie) Griffin; one brother-in-law, John Harris; sister-in-laws, Anna Raleigh, Dorothy Jessup, Judy Frances, and Jane Rhodes; many
nephews and nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.
A viewing will be on Wednesday, May 10, 2022, 5:00pm -7:00pm in the Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel.
A service honoring her life will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 3:30pm at Persimmon Grove AME Church located at 408
Dolley Madison Rd., Greensboro, NC 27410. Visitation will begin at 3:00 pm.
Interment will follow at Persimmon Grove Cemetery.
Professional services are entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.
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Condolences & Tributes
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Courtney Cogswell sent Celestial Love for Barbara Raleigh - May 11, 2023
Traci, Calvin, and family:
Our hearts are with you on this difficult day. Thinking of you and sending love and warmth.
Sincerely, Courtney, Angela, Kathyleen and your Thermo Fisher colleagues
Oscar J. Cole sent Bold and Beautiful Funeral Wreath for Barbara Raleigh - May 09, 2023
AUNT BOBBIE, Our Lives Were Truly Blessed By Your Steadfast Love And Support. Now Rest Peacefully In The ETERNAL Embrace Of Our Heavenly Parent. Jack and Jackie Cole
Deepest condolences to Calasia, the Miller family and Raleigh family.
- Noah L.
My deepest sympathy to Barry Raleigh and family Ephesians 6 the armour of god Pat Keith and family
My sincere condolences & prayers to the Raleigh family. Mrs Barbara was such a beautiful woman inside and out. She inspired my love of baking, her cakes were the best. CJ
To Barry, Traci, and James, We send our deepest sympathy to your family. I have so many memories of your mother going back to our time at Bennett College as freshmen. I remember Barry at our wedding before James and Traci were born. We will miss Barbara so very much. We love all of you. Ed, Lucy, Vanessa, and Kimberly Bolden
From the Sides family.. We're so sorry to hear about your loved ones passing. Your family has been such a blessing to ours throughout the years. We love you all much .
Alice and the entire family of Barbara My condolences to the family and may God provide you peace and comfort. Alice I met Barbara at your house and immediately liked her. Hold on to your precious memories. Jacqueline C. McMillan
Very fond memories of Barbara. She taught my daughter typing at Northeast. She was my sister-in-Christ. St.Stephen AME and Persimmon Grove AME, sister churches. I enjoyed singing with her in the Black Caucus Choir as well as attending school related workshops through GCS. I spoke with her in February on the phone and she was still her lovely sweet self. She will be missed. To God be the Glory. She has left a legacy for all of us to glean from. Praying for the family.
Barry, James, Traci... May God's blessings be with you during this time of loss of your beautiful, talented mother. May you find peace during your healing. Sincerely, Davetta Florance-Bristow
Remembering Mrs. Raleigh from NEHS, she was an amazing mentor to all who took her typing & shorthand class. Never knew how important that class would be for me-but it was a Blessing- using it still today! We will always be grateful for her patience and encouragement! She is the reason for our success! Pamela Jeffries Jones- Class of 1980
Sending our sincere condolences to the family and prayers. From Reverend Linda McCrimmon and the Baldwin family.
My sincere condolences to the Raleigh family.
As a child I always knew Mrs. Raleigh was truly a special person...a lady personified and that never changed. On behalf of the Brown brothers; Kevin, Kris and Kelly and the entire Young's Mill Rd area family we send our love and support to the Raleigh family. We stand with you now and always.
Love and blessings. Kelly B. (JKB-3)
My sincere prayers & condolences to the Raleigh Family.
Harolyn Coble Smith
Prayers to the entire Raleigh family. Having grown up with Barry, James, and Traci in the Youngs Mill Rd neighborhood I will always have fond memories of Mrs. Raleigh. May she Rest in Peace. Much love and prayers!!
Charles, Fred, Mrs. Whitfield, Robin, and Olivia Whitfield- Lifelong Neighbors Charlotte, N.C.
Taj,
We send our condolences. Blessings to you and your family.
Nickolas, Terrence & PAMELA HAWKINS
Barry, James, Traci and Family
I am sorry for your loss. You have fond memories of your mother to hold onto. Blessings.
Lewis Brandon
My sincere prayers and condolences to the Raleigh Family. Mrs. Barbara will truly be missed and may God continue to bless and comfort you all today and for the days to come. Love and peace, Bertha Brown Bethel AME Church G'boro
I am sending my condolences to Mrs. Raleigh's family she was a very sweet lady with a heart of gold. She also was my teacher who I had so much respect for. Thank you Mrs. Raleigh you will never be forgotten. You are now living with Jesus this is not goodbye it's see you later.
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
