Barbara Jane Hait Scarborough, of Boone, North Carolina, transitioned peacefully to her eternal life at home on October 20, 2026.

Born on April 17, 1958, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Barbara was the daughter of her loving parents, Annie Wayne Hand and Raymond Porter Hait Sr. She was the baby sister of Mary Gregg and Raymond Jr., affectionately known as “Buddy.” She attended East Mecklenburg and Swain County high school, where she tried her hand at cheerleading with great success, before graduating from Garinger High School in 1976 alongside the love of her life, Joel Scarborough. They didn’t figure that part out until a few years later.

Barbara began her career with the Kroger Corporation in Charlotte after high school. There, she formed friendships that would last a lifetime. She continued taking beach trips and meeting for lunch dates with the cherished group of women affectionately known as “The Kroger Girls”, Sharon, Kathy, Terri, Robin, Tanya, and Cindy. Barbara went on to work in several fields. She flourished in catering roles throughout the Piedmont, where she could showcase her creativity, and loved the excitement of working in the music industry at what was then known as Blockbuster Pavilion.

Barbara and Joel married in Charlotte in 1984 and welcomed their son, Jacob Bradford, a few years later. Their daughter, Emily Anne, followed two years after that. They relocated to the Scarborough family home in Boone, North Carolina in 2000 where she continued to build new friendships through her love of pottery and kayaking, to include a cherished friendship with Kim Overcash.

Barbara approached life with curiosity, kindness, and an appreciation for people from all walks of life. She was known for her warm heart, welcoming spirit, and genuine interest in others. Family and friends will remember her contagious smile, her sense of humor, and her special gift for making everyone feel valued and loved.

After becoming a mother, Barbara pursued continuing education through CPCC’s craft enrichment program in Charlotte. There, she laid the foundation for becoming a gifted potter and discovered her love of “working in mud.” She specialized in functional, hand-built pottery and decorative garden totems. Her creations can be found in homes and gardens throughout the High Country and beyond, serving as lasting reminders of her creativity and artistic spirit.

She found great joy in visiting the Boone Farmers Market, especially to select fresh flowers from Devin Lacey. Her love of flowers extended to her own beautiful garden, which reflected her nurturing spirit. Filled with birdhouses, feeders, and a wide variety of plants, her garden welcomed the birds and wildlife she so enjoyed. She often said that if you wanted to feel close to the Lord, you should spend time in nature.

Barbara’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Joel Scarborough; her son, Jake Scarborough; her daughter, Emily Smith, and son-in-law, Trevor Smith; and her beloved grandchildren, Sutton Jane, 6, and Jackson Tate, 2. Her grandchildren brought immeasurable happiness to her life and revived her childhood nickname, “Bobbie.”

She is also survived by her sister, Mary Freeman, and brother-in-law, Jack Freeman; her brother, Raymond “Buddy” Hait Jr., and sister-in-law, Natalie Hait; her niece Heather Hait, nephew Ronnie Wise, nephew, Christopher Freeman, and his partner, Jordan Riley; her sister-in-law, Jann Scarborough Graham, and nephews Wike Graham and wife Kim, and Kyle Graham and wife Tracey.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother-in-law, Bob Graham; and his daughters, Robyn and Elayne.

Barbara’s family would like to offer special recognition to her lifelong friends Terri Jodoin, Ellen Helms, David Casey, and Harvey Triplett, whose friendship and support enriched her life beyond measure.

Barbara leaves behind a legacy of love, creativity, friendship, and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. Her family takes comfort in knowing that her influence will live on through the lives she touched, the beauty she created, and the memories she shared.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at Hampton Funeral Service, 683 Blowing Rock Rd, on Wednesday October 28th with visitation from 4-5 and a service to follow at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Barbara’s family suggests two meaningful ways to honor her memory. Because tulips were her favorite flower, consider gifting yourself or someone you love a bouquet of tulips in her remembrance. Memorial donations may also be made to the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation at hcbcf.org. Her family also encourages continued support for research and the development of treatments for metastatic breast cancer (metavivor.org).

“A life well-lived leaves beauty in the hearts of those left behind.”