Ella Dark Barbee

Ms. Ella Dark Barbee, age 61 of 801 Harkey Rd. Apt. 12 B, Sanford, NC passed on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at her residence.

Ella Dark Barbee was born on July 23, 1956 in Wake County, North Carolina, to Clara and the late John Dark. She was educated in Wake County Public School System. She was a 1974 graduate of the Apex Senior High School. Over the years she held various positions at companies such as Bristol-Meyers, Carolina Meadows, UNC Hospitals, and her last employment opportunity was at Wal-Mart. After sixty-one years of triumphant trial experiences, she made her transition into life everlasting and joined her Heavenly Father on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at her residence.

Ella accepted Christ at a young age and became a member of Holland Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church where she was a faithful member of the young adult choir, the Lawrence R. Turner Singers, a dedicated missionary, attended Church School, and the Word Seekers by Day Bible Class.

Ella was united in holy matrimony to Reverend Dwight Barbee on October 16, 1976. To this union one daughter, Rashia Necole was born. She was also the mother of one son, Geoffrey Glenn who preceded her in death.

Due to Ella’s great love for her family, Ella was led by God to relocate to Sanford, North Carolina to be closer to her only daughter and her family. With this relocation, she joined Liberty Praise Center and we witnessed her spiritual life blossoming into a beautiful rose. Ella was a dedicated charter member of Liberty Praise Center, a Golden Girl (one of the Mothers of the Church), doorkeeper, greeter, a member of the mixed choir, intercessor, and faithfully attended Sunday S.E.T., Sunday Liberation Morning Worship, and Wednesday Night Word Bible study.

Ella was a woman of few words, but always left a burning light on those she came in contact with on a daily basis. To her mother, she was known as “L”, to her daughter she was known as “Mama”, to her son-in-love, she was known as “Mom”, to her grandboys, she was known as “Nana”, to her Wal-Mart family, she was known as “Ms. Ella”, and to the Liberty Praise Center Family, she was known as “Mother Ella”.

Ella leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted daughter, Rashia Barbee Cox (Pastor Jace) of Sanford, N.C.; her caring mother, Ms. Clara L. Wilson of Chapel Hill, NC; one sister, Clarice Neville (John) of Durham, NC; four grandchildren, Jahaziel Jefferys of Chapel Hill, NC, Jeremiah Eatmon, Jamir Cox, and Josiah Cox all of Sanford, NC; two aunts, Mary Hubbard (William) of Durham, NC and Elizabeth King of Pittsboro, NC; three uncles, Eutie Wilson, Jr. of Durham, NC, Robert Wilson of Pittsboro, NC, and Curtis Wilson of Burlington NC, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.    

The family will receive family and friends at 3207 Rena Lane, Sanford, NC. 

Arrangements By: Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford, NC