Tarboro -

Barbara Haynes Speed passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on November 14, 2025, after a short and courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. Barbara was born on March 24, 1938, in Concord, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Grady J. Haynes and Annie Johnson Haynes, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Eugene "Gene" T. Speed, Jr; brother, Grady J. Haynes, Jr. and nephew, Richard Carl Haynes.

After graduation from Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, Barbara married Gene and started her career as an X-Ray Technician at Edgecombe General Hospital in Tarboro. They were blessed with two children, Eugene, III and Susan. When night call duties became too disruptive to the family life Barbara preferred, she utilized her tremendous organizational and clerical skills in the business arena for 25 years. Thirteen of those years were spent working with a wonderful team at Mayo Knitting Mills. Outside of work, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Barbara was very active in her children's school, leading her to serve on Tarboro-Edgecombe Academy's (TEA) Board of Directors and also becoming PTO Chairperson in 1980. In 1981, Barbara was presented the Outstanding Service Award for her service and leadership at TEA.  After her children's graduations, Barbara remained active with the school and a few years later, Barbara accepted her most fulfilling career role when she was appointed Administrator/Head Mistress at TEA. After serving in this role for about fourteen years, Barbara continued to teach in both full time and substitute teacher capacities at TEA and then Hobgood Academy until the onset of Covid in 2020, when she retired.

Barbara loved her Lord and Savior and witnessed through word and deed of Jesus' love and faithfulness. She had a heart of gratitude and her faith was unwavering. Barbara was a member of Speed Baptist Church for almost 70 years where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, played the piano as needed, and lastly, served as the Treasurer until her passing. She was kind and generous with her love and was always doing for others. Barbara gave much of her life over the last 10 years to caring for her beloved husband whose health declined with Alzheimers disease. Even in those toughest times, her light continued to shine so brightly.

Barbara's children and grandchildren were her pride and greatest joy. Her devotion to them was palpable, and she always put her family first. She was present at as many activities as possible or sewing costumes for Halloween, school plays or dance recitals. Barbara had a passion for life and living. She was a doer, saying that age is just a number. She loved going to the beach with her family, reading, shopping, and she was an incredible cook. Food was one of her expressions of love and gratitude for family and friends. She would create marvelous meals, especially over the holidays for family, to comfort those facing loss or sickness, and for Homecoming and church meals. As she became well-known for her cakes and goodie trays, she would bring smiles and calories to all who enjoyed her treats.

Our beloved Mama to her children, Grammy to her grand and great-grandchildren, and friend to all, will be so deeply missed, but we are rejoicing that she has won her race and is resting in the arms of Jesus with our beloved Daddy "Poppa." She leaves behind to cherish her memory and to carry on her legacy of generosity and love, her children, Eugene T. Speed, III (Glenn) and Susan Haynes Speed Suiter (Stokes); god-child, Mary Elizabeth Speed Caudill (Robert); grandchildren, Edward L. Hull, Jr. (Jamie), Katie Lee Speed (fiancé, John) and Eugene T. Speed, IV (Avery); two adored great-grandbabies who filled Grammy's heart and mind in her final days, Harper Hull and Hayes Travis Speed; sisters-in-law Janice Kelly and Brenda Speed Eagles and her treasured nieces and nephews.

Her children wish to express their love and deepest appreciation for Dr. Karen Coward, Dr. Ramesh Mishra, the Service League of Greenville Hospice House team, Gentiva of Tarboro team and to our three loving sitters, Neasha, Zyana and Star. To each one: your demonstrated faith, your many prayers, your skillful care and love in your hearts were such a blessing for our precious parents who entered Heaven 14 short weeks apart and their entire family.

Please join family and friends for a special service to honor God and celebrate Barbara's wonderful life at 11:00am on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, at Speed Baptist Church, 202 Church Street, Speed, NC 27881. A graveside committal will immediately follow. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00am.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Speed Baptist Church Grounds and Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 305, Speed, NC 27881 or to Service League of Greenville Hospice House, 920 Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834 in honor of Barbara's life and legacy.