Today, we face one of God’s beautifully orchestrated moments, the transition of life. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, 'We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.' Our God, with His infinite grace and love, gives us the assurance that joy will come in the morning. The heavens opened up in the early morning hours of March 6, 2024, to receive Barbara Ann Ellerbe, aged 68. She was surrounded by her family at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center as she transitioned from her earthly realm. Anyone who knew her would agree that it is impossible to define the genuine love she had for her family. Her calm and nurturing spirit, and her quiet strength, brought comfort and solace to those around her. Barbara Ellerbe was born on October 11, 1955, in Fayetteville, NC, to Leo Barney, Sr., and Lula Jane Barney. She gave her life to the Lord at an early age when she was baptized at Simon Temple AME Zion Church. She was a member of the class of 1973 at Seventy-First High School. In June of
1982, she married the love of her life, William Ellerbe, Sr. In 1987, they were stationed at Pirmasens, Germany, and upon their return to the United States, they resided again in Fayetteville, NC. Barbara was employed by Ruby Tuesday until she retired in 2023. Through her work, she had the chance to indulge in one of her greatest passions:
cooking. She was excellent at her craft, and anyone lucky enough to enjoy her food would attest to this. Barbara loved baking multi-layered cakes, decadent desserts, and savory food for her family and friends. Her love of
cooking was only surpassed by the love for her family and friends. Barbara also possessed an extraordinary gift for engaging conversation, effortlessly connecting with anyone on any topic. She was preceded in death by her father, Leo Barney, Sr., and sister, Gwendolyn Derrick. She leaves to mourn a loving and devoted husband, William Ellerbe, Sr., and a loving mother, Lula Jane Barney, of Fayetteville, two daughters, Tonya Ellerbe-Williams and Ebony Warfield-Graham (Eric) of Fayetteville, NC, three sons, Duane Ellerbe (Candace) of San Antonio, TX, William Ellerbe Jr. of St. Louis, MO, and Charles Ellerbe (Tracee) of Charlotte, NC, three sisters, Peggy Lowe, Carolyn McNair (John) both of Fayetteville, NC, Robin Stewart (Kevin) of Tappahannock, VA, and four brothers, Joe Lindsey (Delphine), Donald Barney (Debra), Leo Barney, Jr. of Fayetteville, NC, and Gary Barney (Deseria) of Chesterfield, VA. Also, left behind to cherish her memory are her grandchildren, Marcus Washington, Khyrah Harding-Heslip (Lamont), Dezjah Watkins, Luis Ellerbe
(Katherine), Kierra Garrett, Isaiah Williams, Kaleah Perry, Jasmine Ellerbe, Maya McNeill, Christian Ellerbe, Charles Ellerbe Jr., Marquise Warfield-Graham (J’Mya), and Simone Warfield-Graham, Great-Grandchildren, Makhai Harding-Heslip, and Noah Leo Watkins, and a host of brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
