With deep sadness we announce that Barbara Ann Bolick Payne passed away peacefully at her home in Hudson, NC on April 4, 2025, at the age of 83.  Born November 4, 1941, in Lenoir, NC she was a lifelong resident of Caldwell County, NC.

Barbara firmly advocated the dignity of work.  As a high school student, she held her first part time jobs at several department stores in downtown Lenoir.  Eventually she was hired by Hibriten Furniture and then Bernhardt Furniture where she held positions of increasing responsibility over a period of more than 50 years.  In all her career spanned over 60 years and she felt great satisfaction in both her accomplishments and contributions.

Still, Barbara remained firmly devoted to her close-knit family ensuring that they received top priority.  She was inexhaustible, independent and fiercely determined, yet always found time to provide others with help and kindness in times of need.  Many referred to her as "Bubbles" because of her warm smile and gentle laugh.

Barbara encouraged those both young and old to dream big, lending an optimistic voice so that they might pursue their lofty goals, yet never crushing their aspirations under suffocating pragmatism.  She chose to build self-esteem up rather than tear it down.

Barbara is survived by her son Michael Payne (Troy, MI), brother Tarris Bolick (Whiteville, NC), nephew Jason Bolick (Wake Forest, NC), niece Dana Bolick (Lenoir, NC) and great-niece Sarah Duncan (Greensboro, NC).

She was preceded in death by her mother Mable Bolick (Lenoir, NC), father Arnold Bolick (Lenoir, NC), brother Kenneth Bolick (Lenoir, NC) and sister Christine Bolick (Lenoir, NC).

Barbara will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.  They will remember her can-do attitude, contagious optimism and clever wit.  She believed in those who needed someone to believe in them.  Through her actions Barbara made a true difference, a difference that made the world a better, kinder place.

Barbara was buried on April 9th, 2025, in a private ceremony at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir, NC.

An online guestbook is available for signature at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com .

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.