Audrey Thomas Barbee, Jr

Mr. Audrey Thomas "A.T." Barbee, Jr., 76, of West Jefferson, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center, following several weeks of illness. A memorial service in the Quaker tradition will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at White Plains Friends Meeting, followed by fellowship with the family. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with military honors by VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 on Thursday, May 14, 2009, at Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson. Mr. Barbee was born October 28, 1932, in Durham County, to the late Audrey Thomas Barbee, Sr. and Fannie Lee O'Briant Barbee. He grew up in the Lowe's Grove Community and graduated from Lowe's Grove High School in 1951. Mr. Barbee entered the United States Air Force in 1951 and served in the Korean Conflict and Japan in the photo reconnaissance unit with top security clearance until his discharge in 1955. Upon his return to Durham, he worked with the United States Army Research Office at Duke University prior to entering Guilford College in 1957. Mr. Barbee graduated from Guilford College in 1961 with a B.A. degree in economics and history. Following graduation, he began his thirty-year banking career in the executive training program with the North Carolina National Bank, later NCNB, now Bank of America. Mr. Barbee served offices in Greensboro, Statesville, and Morganton before retiring from the bank in 1991. Following his retirement, the Brabees moved to Beaufort. Mr. Barbee served as Chief Financial Office of Atlantic Veneer Corporation where he managed funds for the international wood processing plant with plants in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Brazil. During his career, Mr. Barbee was active on several boards and organizations, including United Way, Chambers of Commerce, Community College Co-op Education, Junior Achievement, Jaycees, Community Concerts, Manufacturers Roundtable, Beaufort Business and Professional Association, Rotary Club, and Trout Unlimited. He met Millie Marshall at Guilford College and they were married on August 19, 1961. He is survived by Millie Marshall Barbee of the home; a beloved daughter, Elizabeth Barbee Shronce (Beth); and two beautiful granddaughters, Katherine Grace Shronce and Anna Elizabeth Shronce of Hickory. Mr. Barbee enjoyed taking his granddaughters on hikes and teaching them to appreciate the natural beauty of the mountains and the coast. Throughout their forty-seven year marriage, the Barbees have been avid preservationist of the natural environment and the state's historic resources. Mr. Barbee enjoyed sailing, painting, wildflower photography, trout fishing, golf, and hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the New River and the Appalachian Trail. Memorials may be made to White Plains Friends Meeting and Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust.