Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 29, 2022

CHARLOTTE – Barbara Jean Poore, 89, of Charlotte, NC died at home with family Tuesday, March 29, 2022. She was born Barbara Jean Heller, the youngest of three daughters, in Washington, DC, on July 28, 1932, to Bessie I. Heller and Lewis C. Heller.

Barbara grew up in NW Washington, DC.  She attended Coolidge High School, graduating with the class of 1950.  It was while attending high school that she met her husband of 71 years, James Poore.  The couple married in 1951 and spent the next several years living in California and Wyoming while Jim served in the Air Force, before returning to the DC area to raise their two children in Laurel, MD.  Barbara was a long-time employee of C & P Telephone Company and Bell Atlantic which later became Verizon, where she managed the Treasury and Payroll departments at Fairland Data Center.  She retired in 1989 after 23 years.  After retiring Barbara and Jim lived on the Northern Neck of Virginia, off the Chesapeake Bay.  They enjoyed great friendships while watching the tides, crabbing off their pier and taking in the abundant wildlife around them. When they weren’t traveling to visit their grandchildren, they enjoyed touring Europe and have visited all 50 states.  They moved to Charlotte in 2017 to be closer to their daughter.  Barbara loved jazz music and mid-century modern architecture, especially Frank Lloyd Wright homes, which she visited many.  She was an avid Washington sports fan rooting for both the baseball and football teams.  Barbara was active in her children’s activities, working to found Romper College Kindergarten in Maryland City, leading Brownie and Girl Scout Troops and helping with classroom parties and field trips.  She used her expert seamstress skills on costumes, prom dresses and her grandchildren’s clothes. Barbara was also an excellent cook and has passed down many recipes to her family. 

Barbara is survived by her husband, James Poore of Charlotte, NC; her daughter, Carol Gray-Adler and her husband, Jim Adler of Charlotte, NC; her son, Thomas Poore and his wife, Brenda Poore of Laurel, MD.  Also surviving are her four grandchildren, Andrew Gray of Laurel, MD, Courtney Gray of Chicago, IL, Daniel Poore of Baltimore, MD and Ryan Poore of Laurel, MD.

The family is planning a private memorial gathering at a future date.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.