Barbara Jean Hayer

Barbara Jean Hayer was born on March 3, 1965, the first born  daughter to Nathaniel & Dorothy Hayer. She is one of six siblings, but she gained 3 additional siblings where her father remarried to Theresa Hayer. She was vivacious. She was well known for her intelligence and loyalty to her family. Barbara was a strong woman. She was educated from her youth in the Gates County School System. She was athletic; she was a long distance runner on her high school’s track and field team. She went on to earn a degree in Business Administration at Elizabeth City State University, and graduated with the class of 1989. She was the first of her siblings to receive a college degree. Her education prepared her for a professional career in finance, pharmaceuticals, and chemistry as an Executive Assistant at major companies including employment at BASF in Durham, North Carolina; TD Ameritrade in Columbia, Maryland; and Glaxo Smith-Klien, in RTP, NC.

She was the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Niquetta Hayer and LeShandra Harrell. Her pride and joy are her two grandsons, Kyndel Hayer and Kaine Carter. She was more than a grandma to them. She was also their first educational instructor. Education was always extremely important to her. From the start, she was invested in shaping their minds to be the very best that they could be; remarkably teaching them sign language as babies before they learned to speak and teaching them how to read as toddlers before they entered grade school. Barbara was sensitive and welcoming to family and friends. If you got to know her, she would not change on you, she embraced you. She had strong character and personality, always standing for what she believed. She knew how to get her point across. She was a multi-faceted jewel that shined wherever she went. She resided in Virginia, Maryland and Georgia, but her heart always returned to her native soil in North Carolina. 

Her belief in Christ as a youth was cultivated at VC Temple in Suffolk, VA under the late, Elder Archie Timmons Jr. They were taught that Jesus in the only way to God. She loved the lord. She is from a strong bloodline that loves the lord, full of prophets, elders, ministers, and keepers of the faith.   

Barbara was loved by many and will be cherished and missed. Barbara was loving daughter, devoted mom, encouraging auntie (with a contagious laugh that made you laugh) a supportive sister, reliable co-worker, trusty cousin, precious sister in-law, loyal friend and an elegant, attractive, desired prize. 

Her passing was peaceful and the spirit of God filled her room on March 27, 2023. Angels on assignment from our creator called her home and said; fight no more, take your rest.  

Preceding Barbara in death were her parents Nathaniel and Dorothy Hayer, stepmother Theresa Hayer, sister Ala Jones and brother Van Harrell. 

She leaves to cherish her precious memories to her daughters Niquetta Hayer (Nabeel) and Leshandra Harrell in of Raleigh, NC; two grandsons that she adored very much, Kyndel Hayer and Kaine Carter; two brothers Nathaniel (Monae) Ralph of Belvedere, NC and Alton Ralph of Elizabeth City, NC; four sisters Joanne Jacobs of Durham, NC, Linda Hayer of Virginia Beach, VA, Elizabeth Hayer of Elizabeth City, NC and Barbara Jones (Marie) of Richmond, VA; and friend Bobby Harrell. She is survived by several nieces and nephews Nathaniel, O’Brian (Marquita), Rhea, Norchelle (Andre), Tony (Teshara),Devon, Olivia, Nia, Jeremiah, Michael, Taylor, Haley.  She also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and friends.  

A viewing and visitation will take place on Friday April 14, 2023, from 4pm - 7pm at the funeral home.

A celebration of Life for a beautiful life will be held on Saturday April 15, 2023, 11am at Upper Room Assembly of God Church in Gatesville, NC  

Final resting place will be at Union Branch Baptist Church in Corapeake, NC.

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