Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 14, 2018

CHARLOTTE – Barbara Keith Truscello, a proud, beautiful, born-and-raised Charlestonian earned eternal rest on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at her Brookdale Carriage Club residence.

Born August 6, 1925, the second youngest of eight children to Mildred and George Keith, on a homesite that stood where the entrance to the College of Charleston is now, Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Samuel, of Amherst, OH, whom she met during the war.

Barbara was a bookkeeper and a USO volunteer, and Sam played saxophone in a Navy band at the Charleston Naval Base.  When he first laid eyes on her, Sam told friends, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry”—and he did in 1946.

The couple spent their early years in and around Cleveland, OH (Lorain, Windham, Wickliffe, Parma).  They raised two sons:  Robert, of Waxhaw, NC, and David, of Towson, MD; and they also made a home for a teenage niece, Barbara Collins Smoak, of Greenville, SC, her namesake, whom she called her “bonus baby.”

In 1978, after Sam’s career as a public schoolteacher, and Barbara’s career as a finance secretary for Eaton Corporation (Tinnerman Products), the Truscellos retired and moved back to Charleston, where they were to enjoy good neighbors, family and friends till Sam’s passing in 2011.

Barbara then moved initially to Towson, and later to Charlotte where she took residence at Brookdale in 2013.

She is survived by son Bob and his wife, Sue, and their children—Amy (Danny) Mottola of Durham, NC, Beth Holland of Cornelius, NC, and Matthew (Whitney) of Nashville, TN; and son Dave and his wife, Beverly Bickel, and their children—David (Marianne), and Nora (Aaron), of Baltimore, MD.  Barbara was immensely proud of her family, and was a doting great-grandmother, affectionately called “Gigi,” by Amy’s sons:  Ryan, Brayden, Collin and Logan; Beth’s son, Luke; and Matt’s daughter, Piper, and son, Brooks; and David’s daughter, Sophia.  She also cherished many nieces and nephews, and was particularly close to niece Barbara and her husband Ray of Greenville, SC, and niece Sarah Anderson and husband Andy of Charleston, SC; and a dedicated sister-in-law, Celie Ashworth, of Atlanta, GA.

A memorial service celebrating Barbara’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Myers Park United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Roth officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service in Jubilee Hall.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests that extending a simple act of kindness to a stranger would be a most fitting tribute, remembering that Barbara so loved all children.  The family also wishes to thank the staff at Brookdale Carriage Club for their wonderful God-sent care.

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