Rita Jane Watson Boykin Barbee

Rita Jane Watson Boykin Barbee October 11, 1931 – February 28, 2018 Rita Jane Watson Boykin Barbee peacefully passed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ Wednesday, February 28th 2018 at Springmoor Life Care Center, Stewart Health Center in Raleigh. Jane was a long time native of Wilson and was a long-time member of both Marsh Swamp Free Will Baptist Church in Rock Ridge and was a deacon and elder of First Presbyterian Church in Wilson. Jane is survived by her daughters, Carol Boykin Amerson and husband, Sammy of Raleigh, Patricia Boykin Edwards of Raleigh, Elizabeth Boykin Brann and husband, Kenneth of Greenville, her sons, Duke Graham Boykin, Jr. and wife, Cathy of Raleigh, and Benjamin Clifton Barbee, III of Reidsville; grandsons, Rev. Asheton Amerson and his wife, Tracey, and Thomas Brann; granddaughters, Callee Boykin, and Ava Brann; great-granddaughters, Bailey and Blakely Amerson, and great-grandson, Tucker Amerson. She is also survived by many beloved extended and blended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Lilly Flowers Watson; husbands, Duke Graham Boykin, and Benjamin Clifton Barbee, Jr.; son-in-law, Captain Larry Edwards; brother, Glen Watson, and sister, Etta Mae Batchelor. Jane professed Jesus Christ as her most important priority, followed by the gift of her children. After a valiant and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s and heart disease, she will always be remembered for her contagious smile, abundant gratitude to all that cared for her and a beacon of sunshine and love to all that knew her. Jane brought joy to the world around her and made everyone who cared for her feel special and loved to the end. If the love of her children could have saved her, she would have lived forever. The Barbee Family would like to thank Springmoor Life Care Center and the Stewart Health Center for the wonderful care they gave Jane, as well as the care and support they gave her children. The Springmoor staff was a source of inspiration and strength to her which she carried with her to the end. They are truly angels among us! Her funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, 414 Sunset Road, Wilson. Interment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Wilson. The Rev. Roger Haithcock, the Rev. Asheton Amerson, and the Rev. Dr. Tom Watkins will officiate. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 3 – 6 p.m. at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson. In lieu of flowers are welcome or memorials in Jane’s honor can be made to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 3184, Wilson, North Carolina 27895 or Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27615. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.