Darolyn A. Barbee

Darolyn A. Barbee, age 87, graduated to glory on September 23, 2025. She was born on September 9, 1938, in San Angelo, TX, to the late Marie and Earl Crook. She was the wife of the late James D. Barbee of Spartanburg, SC.

She attended Baylor University and graduated with degrees from the University of Louisville, Louisville, KY and Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY. Having lived in several locations, she worked in various positions and retired from West Texas Utilities. She enjoyed cooking, needlecrafts, music, and traveling. She traveled to 50 countries and all 50 states. As a member of Morningside Baptist Church, she sang in the Sanctuary and Golden Tones choirs, participated in ministries of the WMU, and served on several committees.

Darolyn is survived by her sons: David (Kristie) Downing of Bowling Green, KY, and their children; Dr. Ashley Dick of Mt Juliet, TN, Bryan (Amanda) Downing, Dr. Tate (Mandie) Downing of Louisville, KY and Colby (Matthew) Spillman of Bowling Green, KY; son, Neal (Joy) Downing of Bowling Green, KY; son, Mark (Cathy) Downing of Dove Canyon, CA and their children Jackson (Payton) Downing and Jacob Downing; daughter, Linda (Rick) Whittington of Brownsville, KY; daughter, Brandi McNeil and her children Neal Matthews, Baylee Mathews and Brennan Matthews of Murfreesboro, TN; great granddaughters Charleigh Dick of Mt Juliet, TN, Avery Downing, Zippy Downing and Drew Downing of Bowling Green, KY.

She is also survived by stepsons: Jay Barbee of Spartanburg, SC, and his children Sivana (Vincent) Villatoro, her daughter Amsy Villatoro of Pauline, SC and Sierra Barbee of Okatie, SC; Joe (Dorothy) Barbee and his children Victoria Barbee and her daughter Penelope Barbee; Kalli (Aaron) Layton, her daughter Skyla Sigmond all of Charlotte, NC; and John (Kerrie) Barbee and their son Bruce Barbee, his children Porter Barbee and Tripp Barbee all of Medfield, MA; and their daughter Juliann Barbee of Boston, MA.

Other step-grandchildren are the late, Michael Whittington of Leonidas, MI, his children Luke Whittington of Leonidas, MI and Kayla Whittington, her children Addison Dejarnett, Abell DeJarnett, and Archer Dejarnett of Petersburg, IN: Spencer Whittington of Leonidas, MI and his daughters Morgan Whittington and Madison Whittington of Leitchfield, KY: Trisha (Eric) Ray and their children Gavin Ray and Riley Ray of Schoolcraft, MI.

Darolyn is survived by her first husband, Dr John E. Downing of Bowling Green, KY and predeceased by her second husband, Lawrence Moore.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM, Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. The funeral service will be held 11:00 AM at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel followed by burial in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Robert Mitchell.

A celebration of life will take place in Bowling Green, KY. with details to be announced.

Memorials may be made to Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, P.O. Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304, and the building fund at Morningside Baptist Church, 897 S. Pine St., Spartanburg, SC 29302.

Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel