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Obituary For Mrs. Willie Mae Barrier
On February 28, 2024, God called one of his precious children home. Willie Mae Rucker Barrier made entrance into life on June 14, 1942, in Elberton, GA, to the late Ethel Jackson Rucker and Owen Rucker. She was the eldest of five children born to the union. She was also preceded in death by husband, Allen Marcellus Barrier; son, Kevin Andre Barrier; sister, Juanita Rucker McCaskill; brother, Wallace Rucker.
The family moved to High Point where Willie Mae grew up on Cassell Street on the Southside. At an early age, she was baptized and attended Temple Memorial Baptist Church, which had been located on Taylor Street at that time. Willie Mae was educated in the High Point Public Schools and was a graduate of William Penn High School, Class of 1962. She was also a member of the Pointers Club. She was a member of the Board of Directors for the Open Door Ministries from 1990-1997.
As a teenager, Willie Mae worked at Sibert’s Grill located at Fairview and Loflin Streets. Later, she worked as an upholstery sewer at Drexel Heritage Furniture. She was also employed by the Hartzell, Wasmer and Gayle families for several years, who were considered as close families. Willie Mae continued to be a lifelong member of Temple and was a member of the Richard Nixon Ensemble, where she enjoyed singing songs of worship with the choir, sometimes singing the lead to some of her favorite songs. She was also a member of the Missionary Board and volunteered in several capacities where she would be needed. She truly loved her church family.
She enjoyed bus trips with friends to Atlantic City and Cherokee and playing bingo. At an early age, she was the biscuit maker of Cassell and W. Willis Streets. She enjoyed baking sweet potato pies, homemade biscuits and cooking for friends and family. She would often get sweet potatoes and collard greens for her friends and would help anyone who was selling anything from Girl Scout Cookies to raffle tickets. Willie Mae also loved her Biltmore Avenue neighbors and would collect funds for cards and flowers for those who lost loved ones.
She is survived by daughters, Eljuana Deneen Barrier of Raleigh, NC and Angela Yvette Barrier of Thomasville, NC; three grandchildren, Branden Marcellus Barrier, Devin Michael Barrier of High Point, NC and Ashley Michelle Barrier of Greensboro, NC; seven great-grandchildren, Bradley, Branden Jr. (BJ), Nevaeh, Desire, Kehlani, Dayla, and Deon; brothers, Larry Clark (Monica) Rucker, Sr. of Stone Mountain, GA, Sylvester (Emma) Rucker of High Point, NC; sisters-in-law, Christine Barrier of Modesto, CA, Delores Davis of Selma, AL, and Marlene Dyke of High Point, NC; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and tremendous friends. We wish to thank David Bogans, Carolyn Boyd, Amanda Gibson, Jackie Cobb, Leslie Dean, Faye McAuley, Fannie Buxton, Beatrice Montague, and many others who cared for Willie Mae.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Temple Memorial Baptist Church,1458 Cedrow Dr., High Point, NC. Interment will follow at Carolina Biblical Gardens. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.
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WILLIAM ARTHUR SMITH sent Living Spirit Dishgarden for Mrs. Willie Mae Barrier - March 04, 2024
My deepest condolences to your family. Praying with you and your family during this very difficult time. My very good friend. William Arthur Smith, Class of 62.
I would like to extend my condolences to the Barrier Family! May God comfort each of you daily. Ms. Willie Mae was such a beautiful and caring woman! It was a pleasure to always see her with Ms. Amanda Gibson. Janice Baldwin
Larry and Family, Sending our sincerest prayers and condolences to you all during this very difficult time of bereavement.🙏🙏 May GOD continue to bless and comfort you!
We love you!❤️
Your Classmates, Wm. Penn Class of '68
Eljuana and family you have my deepest condolences for the loss of Mrs. Barrier. Sending love & prayers to you. Thinking of you Eljuana❤️
Evette Simmons
Eljuana, Angela and entire Family, Please accept my greatest sympathy and condolences for your loss. Willie Mae was the recipe for friendship, generosity, kindness, compassion and love. While I know her death brings deep sadness to you all now, know also that her life leaves an honorable legacy of fond memories and hope that will eventually soothe and comfort your heart. I am sorry my health won't allow me to be with you in person but my thoughts and prayers will.
Sincerest condolences from the Brawner Family.
Deneen, with heart felt sympathy - sending our condolences and prayers. May the Lord hold you and the family within his arms of comfort during this time 🙏🏼Louis Jordan and Family
My sincere condolences to you and your family Deneen. Know that she's in the arms of the Lord. I pray for your strength and endurance during this difficult time. Tonya Prince
Deneen - you have my sincere condolences. I pray for strength and endurance for you and your family during this difficult time. Know that she's resting peacefully with God!
Mom you have always treated me like one of your own. I will miss our conversations and I will miss your laughter. Rest peacefully mom💌
Sending my condolences and prayers to the family may God strength each one of you Sharon Green and Family 🙏🕊️🙏
My prayers and thoughts to Mrs. Willie Mae. I knew Mrs. Willie Mae for a brief time during her last days here on earth. She was a very sweet, kind, and soft woman with so much wisdom and patience. She always greeted me with a smile and a warm heart. I cared for Mrs. Willie Mae for a brief period and will always keep her warm memory in mind with me always. She will be missed dearly here at Westchester Manor! Rest in heaven sweet dear.
My deepest condolences so sorry to hear about Miss Willie Mae. She was such a sweet and caring lady. She will truly be missed. You and your family are in my prayers. Shirlon
The McCoy Family sends our deepest heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Willie Mae Barrier. I was always fond of hearing her heavenly voice in song. Remember that weeping my endure for a night but joy will come in the morning. Vance McCoy and Family of Wadesboro, a former employee of Haizlip Funeral Home
I am truly saddened to hear of your transition. Just know I love me some you and we always had great laughs. Now take your place in heaven and spread your wings.
Deneen - I am so very sorry to hear about your mother's passing. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. ~ Simone
So sorry to.hear of Mrs Willie Barrier passing. MRS Barrier was one of the best Client that I could ask for I am really gonna miss her. My prayers are with her loving family . May God continye to strengthen
My deepest condolences I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Barrier. I am praying for you and thinking of you. May God comfort you and your family during this challenging time-Banister family
My dear sister, my sincerest condolences to you in the loss of your mother. May God continue to sustain and comfort throughout this time and afterwards. Love, Kelly Collins.
Dearest Deneen:
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved mother. I am praying for you and thinking of you. May God comfort you and your family during this challenging time.
Shamieka Rhinehart
Prayers and condolences to the Barrier Family. I know my granny Henrietta Kearse and Mrs. Willie Barrier are rejoicing in heaven together. I'm sorry to hear about her passing. I know she is with King Jesus.
-Jerushia Kearse
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
