Barbara Moy, age 92 of Boone, passed away September 2, 2026.

She was married to Basil Johnson and spent 2 years in Barstow, California while Basil was in the Marine Corps. After finishing his doctoral studies, Basil became a Professor of Psychology at Appalachian State University (ASU), in North Carolina. Barbara & Basil have two children, Rhonda, who is a teacher of gifted children, and Sheny, who was a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Communications. And she was blessed with grandchildren.

For the past 49 years, she was married to Dr. Roland Moy, who retired from ASU where he was a Professor of Political Science for 28 years.

During the l970's and 1980's, Barbara completed three college degrees; a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, a Master of Arts in Reading Education, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Reading Education, during which time she taught college freshmen classes. Later she earned an Advanced Principal's Certificate, a Supervisor's Certificate, and a certificate in middle grades Science. She taught school for 25 years, most of the time as a reading teacher. In the years 1992-93 she was honored as teacher of the year and began serving as a mentor for beginning teachers. The county Board selected her to serve as a representative of her county to the ASU-Public School Partnership, and she was nominated for the Teny Sanford Award, a North Carolina recognition for creative teaching. After retiring she used some of these skills for tutoring college students.

Her interests were travelling, dancing, playing bridge, and seeking new adventures such as white-water rafting, kayaking, cattle drive on horseback, and sailing in Florida Bays. Her years of travel included visits all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Germany. Among her many trips, she enjoyed her periodic visits to Roland's daughter, Rhonda and family in North Carolina, and son, Randall and family in Hawaii and other locations. When in Boone she conducted tours (as a volunteer) for the Appalachian Cultural Museum which is affiliated with ASU. Among her hobbies in addition to dancing over a lifetime were fancy sewing of garments, several of which were displayed at a Watauga Arts Council exhibit; writing poetry as the spirit moved her; and exploring Native American history, some of which shed light on her Native American background as 1/8th Cherokee.

Barbara and Roland both enjoyed singing with various local ensembles including barbershop music groups, and both competed in autocross racing.

Barabara and Roland traveled for about 4 months each year in a motorhome. When not travelling, their home was in Boone, a university and tourist town in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Starting in 1998, after retirement, they traveled in motorhomes for 15 years and covered some 150,000 miles in the US and Canada. On one of their travel stops in 2002 they performed a ballroom dance exhibition of six different styles for her 50th high school reunion in Walters OK.

Barbara’s lifelong interest in education guided her completion of several graduate education degrees, her 25-year teaching career, and her funding of an endowed Fellowship at ASU to help others.

By 2026 she became a great-great grandmother. She did not have the chance to hold the new baby while active, but while asleep on her deathbed the baby was laid in her arms.

She is survived by her husband Roland Moy of Boone, daughters Rhonda Lynn Lawrence and Sherry Elizabeth Sparks, stepchildren Rhonda Jean Burgess and Randall Moy, five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 1:00 O’clock pm on Saturday, October 24th at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 183 E. King Street in Boone.

Online condolences may be sent to the Moy family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service are in charge of the arrangements.