Barbara Anne Carter Safley, 91, died Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Novant Health Rowan Regional Medical Center.

The fourth of seven children, Barbara was born on March 4, 1931, to the late Mary Elizabeth Cornwell and Clyde Marvin Carter of Lincolnton. After graduation from Lincolnton High School, Barbara moved to Salisbury where she continued her education in radiology technology. It was when she gathered with her nurse friends at a Salisbury drug store soda fountain that a young man named Jack Plummer Safley sent her a note asking: “Do you think you could ever care for me?”

Care she did. The two were married on March 10, 1957, and celebrated 53 years of matrimony before his death in 2010.

Barbara was a faithful and active member of First United Methodist Church of Salisbury for her entire adult life. She served her church and the community with a quiet loyalty, most comfortable when the attention was on others. Sharp to the end, Barbara always enjoyed playing bridge, reading a good book, solving crossword puzzles, and watching both classic films and professional tennis. While living at Trinity Oaks, she especially enjoyed the many opportunities to attend lectures, learn new skills such as painting, playing shuffleboard, and competing in the communities’ Olympic style games.

What brought the most joy to Barbara’s life was family. Left to carry on the legacy of her love are her daughter Anne Elizabeth Safley Bills and husband, Don Andrew Bills, of High Point; grandchildren: Andrew Carter Bills and wife, Morgan Hunt Bills, of Asheboro; Elizabeth Bills Weaver and husband, Andrew Wesley Weaver, of High Point; Mary Cullen Bills Dixon and husband, Phillip Ray Dixon III, of High Point; and great grandchildren Mary Rush Catherine Bills and Hunt Carter Bills of Asheboro; and Andrew Bills Weaver of High Point.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 13 at First United Methodist Church of Salisbury at 217 S. Church St. with the Rev. Dr. Mark Conforti officiating. Following the memorial service, the family will receive friends in the Carter Lobby at the church.

Memorials may be directed to: First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St., Salisbury, NC, 28144-4953, or to Rowan Helping Ministries, 226 N. Long St., Salisbury, NC, 28144.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Trinity Oaks for caring for Barbara as a beloved family member these past 11 years, especially during the challenges of the pandemic. As “Babs” would always say, “Thank you so very much.”

Carolina Cremation is assisting the Safley family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.