Barbara Leigh Deese

RALEIGH - Barbara Leigh Deese, 81, of Raleigh went to be with her Lord on October 25, 2021, after a brief battle with Covid. Barbara was born on March 8, 1940 to Ruby Lee Bowling and Wlliam Jackson. She was raised by her mother alongside her sisters, Joan and Shirley. Barbara married the love of her life, James Leon Deese, Sr., on March 25, 1956. They were married 45 years when the Lord called him home. Together they had five children: James Jr, Tina, Mark, Carrie, and Brian. The early years of her married life were quite an adventure. Barbara followed James to all of his duty stations as a supportive military wife. Some of her favorite memories were of their family’s time in Hawaii. She had fond memories of fresh pineapples, homemade coconut cakes, and her children playing on the beaches. After James’ military career, Barbara and family settled in their hometown of Raleigh, NC. Barbara enjoyed raising her children alongside her sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Barbara decided to start her own successful career as a banker for Wachovia. She worked proudly there for 25+ years. Barbara was an active member of her church, Amplify (previously Raleigh First Church of the Nazarene). She had strong family ties to the church through her mother and grandmother. She enjoyed working alongside her sister, Joan, in the kitchen; Bible studies; and giving her time to help others. She was a skilled knitter and volunteered to make hats with the church’s “Threads of Love” program. Barbara’s proudest accomplishment was her family. She deeply loved her husband, children, and grandchildren. One of her favorite things to do was to sit at the kitchen table to chat and laugh when they would visit. Her door was always open, her ears were always ready to listen, and she was quick with hugs and kisses. Her home and her arms were full of love. Barbara is survived by her children: James L. Deese, Jr. (Dorothy), Tina Davisson, Mark Deese (Diane), and Carrie Nordquist (Jim); her grandchildren: Natalie Morgan (David), Nathanael Deese (Jennifer), Lindsay Marney (Michael), Nikki Pilcher, Jessica Tannehill, Becka Morris, Joshua Nordquist, and Elizabeth Nordquist; her great-grandchildren: Salem, Malachi, Mercy, Siana, Evangeline, Jacob, Kaitlyn, Emily, Benjamin, Julie, Ryleigh, Carter, Hannah-Joie, Roarke, Barry, Athena, Kaitlyn, and Isaac; sisters: Joan Byrd (Bill) and Shirley Deal; and many nieces and nephews. Barbara was predeceased by her parents; her husband, James; her son, Bryan; and her precious great-granddaughter, Lilly. Services will be held at Amplify Church, 2884 NC HWY 42, Willow Spring, NC 27592 on Saturday, November 20, 2021. Visitation 10:00 AM-11:00 AM; funeral service 11:00 AM-12 Noon. Interment to follow at Montlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Amplify Church for their “Threads of Love” program, as it was special to Barbara. Arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27604. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com