Barbara Gregory

Barbara Dixon Gregory, 79, of Wilson, died Thursday, January 18, 2024.

The visitation will be at Wilson Memorial Service, Saturday, 4:00 - 5:30 PM.  A Celebration of Life Service will be at First Presbyterian Church, Wilson, on Sunday, January 21, at 2:00 PM.

Barbara Dixon, who was born in Roanoke, Virginia and lived in many states, came to live in Wilson in 1990, along with her husband, Rev. Henry D. Gregory IV, whom Covenant Presbyterian Church had called as pastor, and their two younger sons, Elijah and Asa.  A veteran public school art teacher --in Oakland, California, Atlanta, southern Georgia, and in Caroline County, Virginia--she began her service in the Wilson County school system by teaching in two or more elementary schools.  After several years teaching young ones the techniques of drawing and developing their sense of wonder through presenting art masterpieces, she moved to Beddingfield High School.

[As her husband, I must insert here my awe at the result of my visiting her when she taught at Coan Middle School in Atlanta,  After her students coaxed me, I accepted her offer to guide my sketching a portrait of a boy who was sitting as that day's model. Now, I'm not boasting of my accomplishment; I'm voicing awe and gratitude for the effective tenderness of her coaching--and correcting!--me:]

Bobi bore much illness with much grace.  By 2005, she was ready to retire, but she instead stayed for another two years: she had a student, or two, or more, she was coaching/mentoring, giving them - as she gave so many before them - her wholehearted and wise devotion to the fullness of life that transforms a halting or resistant teenager into a whole and wholesome human being.  As Bobi was, now may she more fully be: free of disease and distress, and romping with pet dogs like Sir Percy and Howard and Zach.

Bobi is survived by her husband, Greg; her sister, Marty Dixon Hann; her brother, George Wayne Dixon and wife, Erica; her sons, "Quint" Henry D. Gregory V, Dixon Elijah Gregory, and Asa Abraham Gregory; six grandchildren, Quint and Lisa Gregory's,  Kimberly Gregory, Shay Gregory (HDG VI), and Noah Gregory and Elijah's children, Jack Gregory, Kate Gregory, and Emory Forbes Gregory; and sister Marty Hann's son, Jacob Horwich S/Sgt, Ret.. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 3184, Wilson, NC 27895.

 Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com