Dorcas Barbee

Dorcas Cornwell Barbee, 96, passed away peacefully on December 28 at Wendover Hospice of Shelby. She was born on October 3, 1924 to the late Lee and Helen Blanton Cornwell of Shelby. Dorcas graduated from Lattimore High School in 1941 and attended Appalachian State Teachers College (As it was then named) for two years. She left Boone and began working in Charlotte. There, her best friend, Helen Barbee, introduced her to her brother Frank, of Lincolnton. They started dating and were married at Zion Baptist Church in 1946, and later built their home in the Zion community and began raising their family. Dorcas was a homemaker and supporter of Frank as he began his business, Electric Motor Service. They were both very involved with Zion Baptist Church where Dorcas served on many committees throughout the years. Her church family was so important to her, as well as her “circle of lady friends” who brought much comfort after Frank’s death in 1976. Following his death, she began volunteering in the community and was active in the Cleveland County Boys Club, United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Bulldog Club at Gardner Webb University. Dorcas loved to travel, go shopping, and bake pound cakes and pecan pies for those she loved. Her happiest times were spent with friends and family. She was a wonderful wife, mother and Nana and will be greatly missed. But, we rejoice knowing she is free from dementia and enjoying her forever home in Heaven with the Lord.

Dorcas is preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister and brother-in-law Graham and Frances Cornwell Greene, an infant sister, Margaret Lillian Cornwell, and daughter and son-in-law, Tommy and Nancy Barbee Whiteside.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Franklin and Janice Barbee and daughter and son-in-law, Steve and Betsy Boatwright, both of Shelby. Grandchildren and their families, Summer Whiteside Parsons and Rowland Settle of South Carolina, Shawn, Heather, Evan and Stormie Barbee, Ryan, Katie, Cora, Millie and Ty Barbee, Andy Courtney, Mackenzie and Maverick Barbee all of Shelby and Brian, Laura and Maddox Monteforte of Cornelius and Matt, Sam and Luke Boatwright of Cary.

The family would like to thank the staff of Elmcroft Senior Living for the love and care they gave Dorcas over the last six years. We would also like to thank the staff at Wendover Hospice of Shelby for the comfort and support you provided at her end of life.

There will be a private graveside service on Wednesday, December 30 for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be greatly appreciated to Zion Baptist Church or the Alzheimer Association.

To sign the guest book, please go to www.clevelandfuneralservices.com

A service of Cleveland Funeral Services & Crematory, Inc.