Mary "LuLu" Barberio

Mary E. Barberio, the best mama of three, passed away Monday, October 28th, 2024, at the age of 43. 

Family and friends will be received Sunday, November 10, 2024, from 12pm-2pm, at Joyner's Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Pkwy, Wilson, NC.

We could talk about how great our mama was in endless ways, but mostly, she was the strongest person we will have ever known. She was resilient and taught her babies to grow and persevere. Mary was selfless, always caring for the people she loved the most. There was hardly ever a conversation where we didn’t end up laughing together, and her laugh was contagious, often making our day ten times better. Mary was an amazingly creative person. From doing nails, experimenting with different hair colors, trying different makeup looks, and making things with her hands, she always had something new and exciting to show us. She loved music, and we often found her dancing to her favorites in the kitchen, beckoning us to join her. She loved plants in an inspiring way and would be ready to let you know how they were doing and little facts about them, especially the ones you got for her. Above all, what Mary loved and devoted her life to the most were her three kids and being a mom. She loved and showed up for them EVERY day and knew that her legacy would be forever and live through them. We love you, mama, and we know you’ll always have our back. See you again soon. 

She is survived by her fiancé, Philip Lamont Melvin; daughter, Marley Barberio-Knight (Asiana Humphrey); sons, Gio Barberio-Melvin (Erick Mateo) and Nelson Elijah Barberio-Melvin; brother, Mike Barberio (Kelly Warholic); nieces: Savannah “Sugarfoot” Barberio, and Ashlee Proctor (Blake); nephews: Nathaniel Barberio, Michael Barberio, Isaiah Wall, and Sebastain Wilkins; great-nephews, Amari and Jamal Crumel; mother-in-law, Cathy Melvin Worsley; and sister-in-law, Lamonica Wilkins.

Preceding her in death are her mother, Mary Griffin; and her father, Michael Jeff Barberio, Sr.

The Rose That Grew From Concrete

by Tupac Shakur 

Did you hear about the rose that grew

from a crack in the concrete?

Proving nature's law is wrong it

learned to walk with out having feet.

Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,

it learned to breathe fresh air.

Long live the rose that grew from concrete

when no one else ever cared.

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.