Rev. Roy Lee Barbee's Obituary
Rev. Roy Lee Barbee, 85, of Monroe, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 24, 2026.
A celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Kinza Memorial Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Tab Whitley and Rev. Charles Dunevant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00 until 2:45 p.m., prior to the service.
Born May 21, 1941, in Locust, North Carolina, Roy was the son of the late Melbert Arlene Barbee and Ella Mae Aycock Barbee. He faithfully answered God's call to ministry and devoted his life to serving others through the preaching of the Gospel. During his years of ministry, he pastored Liberty Baptist Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina; Jonas Ridge Baptist Church in Jonas Ridge, North Carolina; Rittertown Baptist Church in Hampton, Tennessee; Middle Cross Baptist Church in Jackson Springs, North Carolina; and Community Baptist Church in Dallas, North Carolina. In retirement, he remained a devoted member of Kinza Memorial Baptist Church.
Over the course of more than five decades in ministry, Brother Roy preached the Gospel with conviction, baptized new believers, officiated weddings and funerals, comforted grieving families, and faithfully shepherded generations of people in their walk with Christ. His influence extended far beyond the walls of the churches he served, and his steadfast faith, compassionate heart, and unwavering commitment to the Lord left an enduring legacy in the lives of countless individuals across North Carolina and Tennessee.
Those who knew Roy will remember him as a loving husband, devoted father, faithful servant of God, and a man of unwavering integrity. He was humble, kind, honorable, and a steady source of strength for his family. Blessed with a wonderful sense of humor, he found joy in making others smile and was a constant encouragement to those around him. His life was a reflection of his deep Christian faith and his desire to serve the Lord with all his heart.
Outside the pulpit, Roy enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop, where he skillfully crafted countless projects. He also loved golfing, fishing, and singing. Among his favorite passages of Scripture was Psalm 23, whose comforting words reflected the faith that sustained him throughout his life.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Louise Carter Barbee; his daughter, Robin Barbee Grismer; his son, Jeffrey Barbee and wife, Pamela; his brother, Bobby Barbee and wife, Linda; grandchildren Jeremiah Grismer and wife, Lauren, Adrienne Grismer Byrne and husband, Christopher, Joshua Grismer, Brittany Grismer Bittorf and husband, Jesse, David Barbee and wife, Cheryl, Jeffrey Barbee ("Max"), and Alex Barbee ("AJ"); great-grandchildren Matthew Grismer, Michael Grismer, Victoria Grismer and life partner, Alex Garcia, Alec Ross, Summer Bittorf, Savannah Bittorf, Jacob Chapman, Ava Barbee, and Penelope Barbee; and one great-great-grandchild, Elijah Garcia.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Louise Little, Bessie Tolbert, and Frances Almond.
The family is deeply grateful for the many prayers, acts of kindness, and expressions of love shown during this difficult time.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1
Rev. Barbee's life was one of faithful service, humble leadership, and steadfast love for both God and others. Though he will be deeply missed, his legacy will continue through the lives he touched, the family he cherished, and the faith he so faithfully proclaimed.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org.
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