Carolyn Groce Barbe

Carolyn Groce Barbe, 87, of Tarboro, passed away on May 09, 2018 in Tarboro, North Carolina.

Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. May 12 at First Baptist Church, Tarboro, followed by a Celebration of Life and Service starting at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Tarboro, NC with Pastor Lamont Hemminger officiating. A private family graveside service will follow May 27th at the Miller Family Cemetery in Bristol, VA.

Carolyn Groce Barbe was born Richmond, VA to George Astor Groce and Claire Mae Campbell on August 30, 1930. She married Robert Francis Barbe on December 26, 1952 In Greensboro, NC. Carolyn received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, V.C.U., VA, a Masters of Public Health in 1972 from UNC, NC, and attended the Master's Nursing Practitioner program through E.C.U. NC. She received a Master's Degree in 2006 from Campbell University School of Arts in Christian Education.

Pre-missionary experience for Carolyn included being a hospital staff nurse in VA, TX, and NC., as a nursing instructor in VA, and NC, and as a home health supervisor with Edgecombe Co. Health Dept. Carolyn worked with the American Red Cross beginning in 1971 and with the Orange Co. organization to assist with their Nursing Aid program. From 1972 – 78, Carolyn served as a teacher and director of the practical nursing program at Edgecombe Technical Institute– teaching pediatrics, obstetrics and anatomy. From 1978 – 81, Carolyn taught Community Health nursing at N.C. Wesleyan College of Rocky Mount. From 1981 – 1983, she worked with the Edgecombe Co. Health Department as a Home Health supervisor, while assisting with Administrative Affairs Department. Dr. Robert Barbe and Carolyn served from 1985 – 1998 as medical missionaries. From 2006 to the present, Rev. Carolyn Barbe worked as a chaplain at the Mary Frances Center’s alcohol and drug recovery unit [until the center closed] and at the Tarboro Vidant Hospital.

Carolyn was an active member of the First Baptist Church and the Tarboro Lions Club. Carolyn Barbe is preceded in death by her parents, by her older brother George; and issurvived by her brother Doug Groce, by her sister-in-law Dolly, by her spouse Robert Barbe;  and by children William Barbe of New York, David Barbe of Greenville and his spouse Judy, Mary Barbe of Philadelphia and her spouse Hugh Hart, Susan Barbe Fecho of Tarboro and her spouse Scott, and James Barbe and his spouse Wendy. There are 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering or Tarboro Community Outreach.

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