Barbara Kirby Bousman

Barbara Elizabeth Kirby Bousman, 93, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2023. A native of Crimora, Virginia, Barbara was born January 21, 1930, to the late Jacob Henry and Hattie Shaner Kirby. Barbara graduated from Bridgewater College and moved to Norfolk, Virginia to teach elementary school music. She met her life’s partner, Jim Bousman, at the Fox Hall Baptist Church, where they both sang in the choir.

Barbara and Jim were married in 1954 and lived in Norfolk, Staunton, and Virginia Beach, Virginia before they answered God’s call for Jim to enter the ministry. Barbara gave up “her life of luxury” as a homemaker and mother to return to teaching elementary school while Jim completed college and seminary. She followed him to pastorates in Chesapeake, Virginia and  Hillsborough, North Carolina before he was called as pastor of Aversboro Road Baptist Church in 1976, where they served for 20 years, and Garner became their permanent home. In addition to her role as the pastor’s wife, Barbara taught Sunday School and sang in the church choirs, often singing solos and duets with Jim.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at Aversboro Road Baptist Church, 1600 Aversboro Road, Garner, NC, 27529. Burial will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 12:50 PM at the church.

Barbara is survived by her children, Monica Bousman, Melody Bousman Jones and husband Harry, and James Robert (Bobby) Bousman and wife DeAnna; grandchildren Robert (Bobby) Bousman and wife Karlie, Jacob Jones, Caroline Bousman Shults and husband Byron, and Kirby Elizabeth Jones; sister, Margaret Kirby Miller; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James R. Bousman, a granddaughter, Megan Marie Jones; siblings, Lydia O’Baugh, Edna Wiseman, Warner Kirby, Ruth Anderson, Mazie Wampler, Samuel Kirby, Joseph Kirby, and Charlsie Langford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Connecting Generations, Aversboro Road Baptist Church 1600 Aversboro Road, Garner NC 27529; Able to Serve, PO Box 334, Garner NC 27529; or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle | Raleigh, NC 27607.