Obituary: Ray Sinclair Barbre, Jr.
Ray Sinclair Barbre, Jr., passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 10, 2026, at The Service League of Greenville Hospice House.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 14, at 1:30 PM at Queen Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Kim Johnson presiding. Interment will immediately follow at Westview Cemetery in Kinston. The family will receive friends at Kinston Country Club for a reception in Ray’s memory following the graveside service.
Ray was born in Kinston, NC, to Julia Grace Venters and Ray S. Barbre, Sr., on October 31, 1934. He was a proud graduate of Grainger High School. He continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later graduated from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, NC, with degrees in Business and Spanish. He later used those skills to honorably serve his country in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Jackson, SC, where he worked as a typist.
Following his military service, Ray joined his father as co-owner of Lenoir Tire & Appliance, now owned by the Askew family. He later transitioned to sales with National Motor Club, a roadside insurance company. Like his father, he succeeded in business and sales because he cared genuinely for his customers and community and would meet people where they were, be that with a “dollar down, dollar a week” payment plan or a series of lunches with the same potential customer at Christopher’s to patiently answer questions.
Outside of his professional life, Ray had quite an adventurous spirit. He raced Hobie Cats in regattas across the NC and VA coastlines and coached champion basketball and softball teams in Kinston sponsored by Goodyear Rubber Company. He was an avid hunter who grew up going to Camp Bryan. The only thing that rivaled his love for the outdoors, particularly his love for being on the water, was his love for Carolina basketball and football. He followed the teams to tournaments and celebrated and mourned along with Tar Heel wins and losses.
Family was the cornerstone of Ray’s life. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 33 years, Becky Barbre, of Kinston, who was his rock and his partner in every adventure. He adored his daughter, Morgan, of New Haven, CT. Ray is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sandy K. Weaver, of Smyrna, GA; his mother-in-law, Carolyn Peeler, and brother-in-law, John Peeler, both of High Point, NC; his cousin Mary Hood, of Dover, NC; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents; his stepmother, Carolyn Barbre, Sr.; his sister, Betty Barbre; his brother, Price G. Weaver; his father-in-law, James Peeler; and his two sons, Ray S. Barbre, III, and Jonathan M. Barbre. He maintained very close relationships with his childhood friends throughout his life and considered them to be as close as family. The Barbre family is also grateful to Teresa Corbett for helping to take care of Ray over the last year.
Ray Barbre was as gentle as he was charming and saw the best parts of everyone he met. He is deeply missed by his friends and family, who will retell his stories and treasure his memory.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Queen Street United Methodist Church (500 N Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501) or to The Service League of Greenville Hospice House (920 Wellness Dr, Greenville, NC, 27834).
Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be made at www.edwardsfhc.com.
