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BORN
1928
DIED
2014
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Merle Barley Obituary
Chesapeake - Merle Culpepper Barley, 85, of the 3100 block of Martin Johnson Road, went home to be with her Lord on May 28, 2014.
Merle was born in Deep Creek on November 17, 1928 to the late Vernon M. "Tootsie" Culpepper and Eula M. Culpepper. She was a 1946 graduate of Deep Creek High School and a 1950 graduate of The Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. Merle taught elementary school for 30 years in both Hampton and Portsmouth Public Schools. She was a longtime member of Deep Creek Baptist Church, the Dorcas Bible Class and the Myrtle Thompson Circle.
She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, William P. "Bill" Barley; two sons, William Vernon Barley and wife Sarah and James Preston Barley; three grandsons, Preston Ross Barley, Waylon Vernon Barley and wife Carrie, and James Brett Barley and wife Casey; a great-granddaughter, Laya Elizabeth Barley; and a great-grandson, James Mason Barley, all of Buxton, NC on Hatteras Island. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Sue Culpepper Spencer and husband Harvey of Deep Creek.
Merle loved her family very much - especially her 5 grandchildren. To know her was to be her friend.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Culpepper Cemetery on Old Mill Road at 2 p.m. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Haven Children's Home, 3000 North Landing Road, Va. Beach, VA 23456. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, is handling arrangements.
www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Merle Barley
(Norma) Jean (Roten) DiCristofano
June 10, 2014
So sorry for your loss. I knew William Vernon Barley years ago. A fine young man. God bless.
Wendy Archambeault
June 2, 2014
Leanna and Family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Wendy archambeault Brockton mass
May 31, 2014
To Bill and Family, My deepest sympathy for you and your family on Merle's passing to be with the Lord. I haven't seen Merle in a long time but every time I did she was always smiling and happy. We were first cousins,not close in age to Mary Ellen and I but closer to my sisters Phyllis Bragg Nyborg and Jean Bragg Wallace. We know that you all will miss her. I remember Aunt Eula, Uncle Tootsie, and Betty Sue and visiting Deep Creek for family gatherings years ago. My mother, Hattie Bragg Morrisette had the middle name Merle, so it must have been a family name. Please give my regards to your sons, their wives and your grandchildren. May Merle rest in Heavenly Peace. Love Joyce Bragg Costa
Steven Leth
May 31, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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Myrtle (Williams) Thompson
May 31, 2014
Brother Bennie called me this morning to tell me of your loss and Heaven's gain. I grew up with Merle and we had so many good times together in Deep Creek. She was a special person with unique talents. May the whole family know the peace of God which passes all understanding during this time of loss.
We are all blessed because of having known her and for her friendship. She was a part of the the missionary circle named for me, an honor for which I am very humbly grateful.
Sally Abbott
May 31, 2014
Mr. Barley,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you comfort during this terrible loss.
Kristee West Georgiou
May 29, 2014
I am sorry for your loss. I have wonderful memories of Merle growing up and being on Ocracoke in the summers and Amos' Christmas breakfasts. May God give you peace knowing that she is heaven with our Lord.
Chris Bolen (CHS 74)
May 29, 2014
Condolences Mr. Barley to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Tammy Britt
May 29, 2014
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Connie Lankford
May 29, 2014
Mr. Barley and Family. Words cannot express my sympathy to you and your family. Mrs. Meryl was a wonderful person and neighbor. I will miss her so much. Please let us know if we can do anything at all for you. May God bless you and your family.
Jettie Miller
May 28, 2014
Ms. Barley,
You will for ever be an inspiration to us all. I hope to be the Mother to my child that you were to yours. You will always be in my heart. Jettie MIller
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Sturtevant Funeral Home - Portsmouth Boulevard Chapel5201 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701
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