Barbara, affectionately known as "Barb", "Mean Barbara Jean", "Rambo Red", "Aunt Bubba", sister and friend was born on January 14,1950 at NRMC Camp Lejeune, NC to Michael J Riley Jr and Leota Simmons Riley. Her loving heart stopped beating and she slipped from this life in late July of 2022; sadly, she was not identified, by DNA, until June 23, 2023.

Barb was a graduate of Jacksonville Senior High School and University of North Carolina at Wilmington majoring in French. Her command of the French language, lead her to a teaching job in California, where she was able to take her class to Paris, France, the highlight of her career. For a time, Barb was with the Costuming division at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, making sure all of the changes for the characters were the right sizes and in the right places. Her later years, found Barbara a dedicated J C Penny's employee working in Management/Supervisory teams for Customer Service, Training, and Pricing the store.

Barb was vivacious, with a quick wit, an Irish temper to match her long red hair and brilliant personality.  She loved her nieces and nephews and spent much time with them as they grew up.

Though technologically challenged, she could speak with anyone on any topic - movies, TV, politics, Hallmark ornaments, travel, Ireland, books, science, animals, especially cats and conspiracy theories. She loved the old movies, puzzle books and her family history, keeping up with the antiques from their General Store in West Virginia for decades.

Her favorite time of year was Christmas:  When the new Keepsake ornaments from Hallmark were released in the spring, she was one of the first to "stake her claim" on the new treasures. Barb loved decorating and "fluffing" as many trees as possible with her beautiful Hallmark collection. She could look at an "orne" and tell you when it was made, the original price, the current value, and what auction she bought it from.

We will miss Barb's big smile, warm hugs, great sense of humor, boisterous laughter, long telephone calls and generosity.

Barbara Jean was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother in law Pat and Johnny Johnson and her younger brother Mike.

She is survived by her sister Priscilla Riley Owens and hubby, many nieces and nephews, a special cousin and dear friends to mourn her loss.

A Celebration of life is TBD in Jacksonville, NC, while family takes Barb's remains to the Riley property in West Virginia.