Barbara Kepley Perrell

Barbara Kepley Perrell, of Woodleaf, NC, passed away on September 10, 2025, at TerraBella Salisbury. Born in Rowan County on January 13, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Francis Murdoch Kepley and Elva Rebecca Hallman Kepley. Barbara graduated from Cleveland High School before attending Salisbury Business College, where she trained to become a secretary. Over the course of her career, she worked at Rowan Technical Institute (now Rowan-Cabarrus Community College), Fiber Industries (Celanese), and Barium Springs Home for Children. Barbara was a dedicated member of Unity Presbyterian Church in Woodleaf, serving as a Sunday School teacher and remaining active with the women of the church for many years.

Throughout her life, Barbara was beloved by her family and her many lifelong friends, both within her local Woodleaf community and around the country. She took great joy in the fresh flowers and vegetables her husband Willie grew in his garden and often used them to prepare the food she would offer to all who stepped through her door. Barbara always had an open door for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom she regularly helped take care of well into the last years of her life. She also greatly enjoyed traveling with her family, whether to the mountains, Lake Norman, Myrtle Beach, or across the country to visit long-time friends and family. To those who joined her family by marriage, she was renowned for making them feel immediately welcomed as an integral part of her family. She always had a kind word and a heart filled with gratitude. The outpouring of support she received from her many friends and family members in her last days is a testament to how loved and respected she truly was by all those whose lives she touched.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband William Roland “Willie” Perrell, whom she married December 21, 1952. She is survived by her son, Roger Perrell of Woodleaf; her daughters, Karen Campbell (Ron Walker) of Salisbury and Kathi Albea (Derek) of Woodleaf; her brothers, Philip Kepley (Mary Sue) of Salisbury and Gary Kepley (Sandra) of Statesville; her sister, Genelda Woggon of Asheville; her grandchildren, Philip Hodge, Dustin Perrell, Mallory Hodge Whitley, Timothy Campbell and Austin Perrel; and by her 10 great-grandchildren.

A service celebrating her life will be held at Unity Presbyterian Church, Woodleaf, NC on Sunday afternoon, September 14th at 4:00, the Rev. Karla Woggon (Barbara's niece) officiating. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service at 3:00 p.m. in the church family life center. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Art & Soul Rowan, PO Box 4098, Salisbury, NC 28145 or Unity Presbyterian Church Preschool, PO Box 28, Woodleaf, NC 27054. Condolences may be sent to the home at 275 Perrell Road, Woodleaf, NC 27054. Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Perrell family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.