Maebelle Garnette Barkley

ROCKY MOUNT – Maebelle Garnette Barkley, age 102, peacefully passed away in her sleep at Brookdale Assisted Living on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Born in Nash County, NC on January 8, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Lucian Branch Bissette and Masie Sanders Bissette. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Clifton Ferdie Barkley. Maebelle’s family home was in Bailey. She graduated from Bailey High School with honors. Maebelle furthered her education with a Bachelor of Science degree at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond with a degree in nursing to become an R.N. She began her nursing career in Wilson. Maebelle met her husband while he was in the Army, after being introduced by his sister, they started corresponding through letters, met, and married on July 6, 1946, and settled in Enfield. She was a private duty nurse for many years and became a nursing supervisor at Edgecombe General Hospital (Vivant), and later retired in the late 1980s to be able to spend more time with her children and grandchildren. Maebelle enjoyed a good life in Enfield and was involved in her church and community. She loved working in the yard and her favorite time of day was in the late evening. Maebelle loved growing vegetables and was an amazing cook. Her greatest pastime was all the hydrangeas and gardenias she rooted and planted. Maebelle enjoyed going on trips especially to the beach and mountains. She always enjoyed visiting White Lake, Virginia Beach, Emerald Isle, and Sunset Beach. Maebelle loved walking to find seashells and enjoyed sharing her treasures with her family. She was a longstanding member of the Enfield Baptist Church and dedicated her time to the nursery with the newborns and toddlers during church service. Maebelle loved watching the little ones grow up and move on to the bigger classes. After her husband's death in 1997, she moved to Rocky Mount, and became a part of the Rocky Mount community.Maebelle is survived by her daughter, Silva Barkley Elko of Chesterfield, VA; her son, Clifton Ferdie Barkley Jr. of Emerald Isle; her three cherished granddaughters, Heather, Amanda, and Natalie Wallenslager (Danny); her three precious great-grandchildren, Jenna Madison, Silas Clifton, and Maisie Jean; and her niece, Sonja Lamm Stone of Wilson. A Graveside Service will be private at the convenience of the family. The family would like to say thank you to Brookdale Assisted Living and Hospice at Nash General for all the loving care that was given during her time there. She was able to celebrate amazing milestones with her 100, 101, and 102 birthdays. The family would also like to say a special thanks to Nash UNC Health Care Hospice & Palliative Care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Maebelle’s memory to Enfield Baptist Church, 200 W. Burnette Ave., Enfield, NC 27823 or to your local Rescue Squad. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.