Individual Details

Death

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home. Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 12 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Oakboro officiated by Rev. Dr. Terrell Watts and Rev. Jonathan Waits. Burial will follow at the Oakboro Cemetery at 1397 North Main Street, Oakboro. Survivors include children Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sister-in-law Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Garfield. Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day-long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies. Memorials may be made to Oakboro First Baptist Church or Hospice of Stanly and the Uwharrie. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Drye family.