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Helen Joann Barrs

1931 - 2025

Helen Joann Barrs obituary, 1931-2025

BORN

1931

DIED

2025

FUNERAL HOME

Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory - Hickory

334 2nd Street NW

Hickory, North Carolina

UPCOMING SERVICE

Service

Nov. 22, 2025

Bass-Smith Funeral Home - Jack Bass Memorial Building

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Helen Barrs Obituary

Helen Joann Barrs

November 24, 1931 - November 18, 2025

Helen Joann Barrs, 94, of Newton, passed away November 18, 2025 at Trinity Ridge.

Born March 24, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Oscar Durham Barrs and Mittie Stacy Barrs.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant sister, Louise Barrs; sisters, Martha B. Whisnant, Frances Creech, Susan Reed, Evelyn Nistal, Faye Ferland, Monnie Helton, and Eula Coutu; and two brothers, James and Charles Barrs.

Joann retired from Sears Roebuck where she worked as a member of the automotive service team where she earned the respect of her male co-workers. Her lifelong passion was horses. She was a skilled horse woman who owned, rode, and trained countless cherished horses from her childhood to her later years.

Survivors include her son, David Eugene McLaughlin (Susan), of Hickory Marsha Joann Barrs, of Floral Park, NY; granddaughters, Marie Sipe (Tracy), of Hickory and Kristy Watts (Kevin), of Hickory; nieces, Javita Anne McSwain (Jim Morgan), of Hickory, Carol Everhardt (John), Kathy Leonard, and Sylvia Belhumeur, nephews, Peter G.Nistal, Marcel Ferland and James Ferland, 7 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandsons.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Bass-Smith Funeral Home with Pastor Dan Duke officiating. A gathering of friends and family will follow the service in the Jack Bass Memorial Building.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, N.C. 28658 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

On-line condolences may be left at:

www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com

Published by Hickory Daily Record on Nov. 22, 2025.

Memorial Events
for Helen Barrs

Nov

22

Service

Bass-Smith Funeral Home - Jack Bass Memorial Building

334 2nd St., NW, Hickory, NC 28601

Nov

22

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel

334 2nd St., NW, Hickory, NC 28601

Funeral services provided by:

Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory - Hickory

334 2nd Street NW, Hickory, NC 28601

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Barrs

Sponsored by Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory - Hickory.

Not sure what to say?





1 Entry

Howard Howard Stirewalt

Earlier today

I am very sorry to read of the passing of Mrs. Barrs, I remember her nephew, Pete Nistal from working in the trucking industry.
Howard C. Stirewalt
Hildebran, NC

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