Barbara Sue Allen Fowler

Mrs. Barbara Fowler, age 87, of Ellenboro, NC (though she lived in Shelby for 79 years), went to be with her beloved Lord & Savior and to reunite with her husband of 54 years, Charles Fowler, on June 1, 2026.

Born March 16, 1939, in Cleveland County, NC, Barbara Sue was the daughter of the late Palmer & Flossie Bolton Allen. She was preceded in death by her brother, Larry “Bud” Allen and sister-in-law, Jean Allen, her sister, Linda Allen Haynes and brother-in-law, Glenn Haynes and her brother-in-law, Keith Hipps.

Barbara Sue is survived by her daughters, Mrs. Robin Fowler Harris (Scott) of Mooresboro, NC, and Tiffany Fowler Blanton (Michael) of Ellenboro, NC. Her grandchildren, Kristi Stiles (Jake Johnson) of Charlotte, NC, Anthony Stiles of Shelby, NC, and Jesse Peeler (Elizabeth) of Shelby, NC, and Abigail Peeler of Ellenboro and great-granddaughters, Ellie Ethel Stiles and Iris Peeler.

Barbaras’ surviving siblings are Jerry (Jake) Allen (Charlotte) of Byron, GA, Joy McSwain (Mike) of Shelby, NC, James (Butch) Allen (Beverly) of Hampton, VA, Patsy Allen of Hillsborough, NC, and Kathy Allen Hipps of Shelby, NC. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Fowler Elmore, who is her beloved husband’s only surviving sibling. She is also survived by numerous nieces & Nephews who she loved, and they loved her fried apple pies, icicle pickles, and homemade apple butter. Barbara is also survived by a first cousin (but was more like her sister as they talked on the phone every single day) Susan Wallace Rhodes.

Barbara was also blessed to have bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are Greg Russo, Alanna Blanton, and Jake Blanton, Courtney Fordyce (Zack) and their children, Gabby & Nash, Wesley Harris (Carla) and their son, Owen. Morgan Davis blessed us as well by being the mother of our sweet Ellie Ethel and for that she is family.

Barbara had some special friends and bonus family from her 50 years of living in the Hillsdale Community in Shelby, Carol Morrow, Kay & Calvin Wright, and her best friend, Shirley McCurry. Barbara was a faithful member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church. She loved her church, her church family and she has been blessed with her pastor, Tommy Runyon, who she always called Preacher Tommy. She loved going to the JOY group (Just Older Youth) get-togethers at church where she was famous for her icicle pickles, fried pies, and as of late, her crowder peas, all foods that she would take because the folks there loved her cooking & canning skills, which gave her great joy.

Barbara retired from Celanese after working there 36 years. She was a hard worker. She loved camping, especially at Wildlife Woods Campground, where she had a permanent spot there with Charles. She loved trips to the beach and to Pigeon Forge with her beloved husband. It was not uncommon for them to get in the motor home and just go “somewhere” for a few days once she retired. Barbara was also the ultimate caregiver. She took care of her husband and was his advocate. She was known for her notetaking as it was found out when she moved out of her home. There were multitudes of notebooks where she would log all of Charles’ test values, his doctor’s appointments, his medications, and diagnoses from his multiple visits to the hospital.

Barbara was the ultimate advocate for her husband. Once Charles went to be with Jesus, she took up knitting and there are fruits of her labor throughout the family and friends with toboggans, scarves, potholders, dish cloths, and baby blankets. Barbara loved giving. She was the epitome of “giving the shirt off her back” as she didn’t want anyone she loved to do without. She followed the life sentiment that “It is better to give than receive”. That is who Barbara was.

Later after her husband's passing, she began enjoying trips to Pigeon Forge with her best friend Shirley. They would go off on a whim to stay at a family cabin in the mountains that Shirley had access to. They would go to craft stores, thrift stores, and craft fairs in Pigeon Forge. They would also take many day trips out for lunch and to their favorite store, Hamricks. They would go to the country shows in Pigeon Forge and have a ball. We fondly called them “Rose & Dorothy” from the Girls. Shirley was always there for Barbara and that meant the world to our small family.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Beaver Dam Baptist Church. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 1:00 pm and conducted by Rev. Tom Runyon and Rev. Andrew Renfroe. A burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Beaver Dam Baptist Church, Men on Missions, 123 Beaver Dam Church Road, Shelby, NC 28152.

To sign the guest book, please go to www.clevelandfuneralservices.com.

A service of Cleveland Funeral Services & Crematory, Inc.