Barbara Jean Jenkins Reece

Mrs. Barbara Jean Jenkins Reece, age 78, of Dobson, NC passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC.  She was born in Surry County on August 2, 1944, to the late Connie William Jenkins and the late Lola Belle Childress Jenkins.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Brenda Jenkins Colvard. She was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church in Yadkinville and worked on the family farm.  Surviving is her loving husband Edward Ray Reece, daughter, Jennifer Renee and Derek McBride, son, William Edward Reece; grandchildren, Bailey Madison Cave, Edward Garrett and Natalie Cave; sister brother-in-law, Gaye Jenkins Rogers and Charles Rogers; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held 3:00 PM Saturday April 29, 2023, in the chapel of Union Grove Baptist Church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.  Rev.  Kenny Gooden will officiate the services.  Her body will lie in state 30 minutes before the service.  The family will receive friends at Moody-Davis Funeral Home on Friday evening April 28, 2023, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

 Barbara Jean Reece, a devoted wife, mother, and servant of the Lord. She has obtained the prize that all of God’s children strive for in this race of life. As the Apostle Paul wrote,

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Tim 4:7-8)

Barbara loved the Lord with all her heart and served the Lord till her last breath on this earth. If one was ever in her company, then she would not neglect to testify of her faith and glorify the Lord. She believed in sharing the Good News with every person and many have been blessed by her testimony.

The Lord gifted Barbara with a beautiful voice that she used to glorify the Lord. She began singing at an early age with her sister, Brenda and her mother, Lola Jenkins. Later with the Jenkins Trio, which included her uncle Homer Childress and mother Lola, she wrote and recorded her first song, ”God Gave Me Life”. It was released in the year 1978. In the following years, Barbara filled entire notebooks with songs that the Lord gave her. One of her latest songs, “A Far Better Place”, has been recorded by several well-known Southern Gospel groups. Following the Jenkins Trio, Barbara, Brenda and her youngest sister, Gaye, sang together as The Joyful Hearts. An untold number of singings, revival services and funerals were blessed by her singing. Many times, she would sing with her parents Connie and Lola and her sisters. The Jenkins family is widely known for their singing talent. Barbara’s legacy lives on in the songs she wrote and in the memory of all those who listened to her sing. Her songs continue to bring joy and comfort to all those who listen to them.

As a devoted former member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Barbara served as choir leader and Sunday School teacher for many years. The reputation of the choir was well known throughout the surrounding areas and many were blessed through the years with her spirited leadership. It wasn’t uncommon for Barbara to testify, and it could be said that many a sermon was preached through her testimonies. Barbara loved the Lord and wasn’t ashamed to bring praise and glory to His name wherever she was.

Not only was Barbara a songwriter and singer but also a gifted playwright. For many years at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, she authored and directed the annual Christmas play. Many from the community and neighboring churches would come on Christmas Eve night to see the play and countless souls were touched by her heartfelt writing. Her plays, which always ended with an invitation for people to receive Christ as their savior, have touched many lives and continue to have an impact on those who were privileged to see them.

Barbara and Ray became members at Union Grove Baptist Church, where she attended until her passing. She loved her Pastor Kenny and his wife Tina. Barbara and Ray have many special friends at Union Grove Baptist Church who have been a blessing to her and Ray.

Second only to her love for the Lord was her love for her husband, Ray, and their children, Edward and Jennifer and her grandchildren, Bailey and Garrett. Barbara was lovingly devoted to Ray until her last breath. Her love for her family was well known as she testified so

many times. Barbara loved all of her family and her greatest desire was for all of them to be saved and to meet her in heaven.

Barbara was well known as a diligent and hard worker. Through many physical trials she persevered when others may have given up. She worked with her family in raising tobacco and in the chicken houses. Many a song was sung sitting on the back of a tobacco setter. Her work was always infused with prayer and praise. Countless songs were written as she was working in the chicken houses. Barbara truly lived the verse, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph 5:19)

She loved flowers and planting in her numerous gardens around her house. Always busy planting, harvesting and canning, she tirelessly worked to provide for her family and friends. Even in her later years, she would can enough food to supply several families for the winter. If one came looking for Barbara and she wasn’t home, chances were that she would be found at her prayer ground. Barbara always made time to spend with the Lord in prayer and countless lives have been touched by her interceding prayer on their behalf. There is no doubt many reading this were called out by name in her prayer time.

Barbara’s faced challenges in her health from an early age. A heart condition led to one of the first open heart surgeries performed on a child. It was through this experience that her father, Connie Jenkins, received Christ as his Lord and Savior. All throughout Barbara’s life, God was present with her, touching her body and strengthening her. She was a woman of astounding faith and perseverance. Words cannot describe the blessing her life was and continues to be in all those who knew her. If any woman ever lived Proverbs 31, it was Barbara.

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry, her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her house-hold, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty if vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:10-31