This is the Barbara we remember - bright, funny, and engaging.  We cherish her memory.  This pic was taken in 2005 in NYC where Greg worked at the time.   They showed us the City's sights, we had dinner at their place and then late evening drinks and music at The Bitter End.   It was so much fun.

1st Thanksgiving after leaving Utah. Monterey, CA

Beautiful Barbara Dawn Lang about to become Mrs. Petty.

Here is a photo of Barb and I on the Petty’s front porch at the round house in Westminster  in 1982 with our two newborns. 
Happy Trails  Dear Friend! Until we meet again ....

We did not know Barbara well but really enjoyed it when they both visited Las Vegas.  She was kind and witty and really loved her family.  She is gone too soon.  Rest in Peace, Barbara.

My husband, Dave, and I met Barbara and Greg at a Clayton Newcomers and Neighbors meeting. We clicked with them right away. We were hoping to travel with them. Barbara was a delightful person with a wonderful laugh, engaging smile and beautiful and bright eyes! We enjoyed our time with Barbara at our Tuesday trivia nights at Tavern 42. She always made us laugh! She loved her children and especially her grandchildren. After her Thanksgiving trip to California she proudly showed us pictures of her grandchildren.  We are so thankful we had Barbara in our lives!

I was honored to serve on the Arts Access Board under Barbara’s leadership.  She also invited Chuck Galle and me to write reviews for Boom Magazine which led to a new venture for us. Lasting memories. Love, Martha Keravuori and Chuck Galle

I know Barbara from her work with CVA, Cary Visual Arts. She was a kind and caring lover of art and I was so happy when she won a piece of mine from the CVA 2008 Art Ball. She was also a great inspiration as the editor of Boom Magazine.  Her energy and commitment was great to be around and I will miss her. 
Much Love to her family and friends.
Constance Pappalardo

Barbara and I worked together many years ago when our kids were very young.  Our families shared wonderful times together.  She was funny, creative, and competitive (serious at ping pong, formidable at tennis). In rereading the Petty Christmas letters we looked forward to receiving every year after they moved to North Carolina, I am struck once again by her devotion and love of her family.  She would recap the family’s goings on in a humorous and yet poignant way.  One year she said “I seriously contemplated not doing Christmas cards this year – thus the reason for the late date.  But then it finally struck me why we all continue to agonize over cards and letters…it’s because our friends and families are the things that truly matter to us.  I couldn’t let the Holiday Season go by without letting you all know how much you truly mean to us.”   Thank you, Barbara. We will remember you with gratitude and love.   

Although I have only known Barb for a short time , she quickly became a new fun friend.  I always looked forward to seeing her and Greg at our Tuesday trivia nights at Tavern 42.  She knew a lot of the answers to those crazy trivia questions and sometimes her voice would carry and everyone would know the answer!  Always a good sport and up for trying anything unusual like when we decided to where mismatched earrings because we lost one of the set or just because it was fun.  Your  laughter and kind spirit will be missed.  Rest in peace my friend.  

I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Petty when Erika and I sang together and then were roommates in college.  She was so very supportive and always had a big smile on her face when she said hello. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. 
Sincerely,  “Bethel” – Elizabeth Wright

Barbara was not just the mother of one of my best friends - she was like the cool mom that we all wanted but never had. When we went out to sing karaoke, she got up there with us. When we had dance parties in the living room, she was right in the middle. I have so many wonderful memories with the whole Petty family, making me feel like one of them, laughing and dancing and just being silly. She was such an effusive and full-of-life person, and so warm-hearted. She opened her home to my family when we needed somewhere to stay - even when Erika wasn't home. Barbara  also gave me the opportunity to publish my first travel articles in their family's magazine, and travel was always a favorite topic to discuss over dinner. It seems impossible that such a vibrant person is no longer with us and I know everyone who knew her will miss her dearly; however, I am confident that she is dancing still in her forever home - free of pain and worldly troubles. I know she will watch her children and grandchildren grow from heaven - and her memory will live on through the stories we tell and through the lives she touched so profoundly.  It is only those left behind that are grieving - and my heart goes out to Greg, Erika, Aaron and their families - as well as all those, like myself, who knew and loved her. 

Although we were separated by long distances, when we gathered it always seemed like we started again where we had left our last celebration. We have shared many fun times over the years and Barb's energy and fun spirit played such a big part.

I will always cherish the times when our family would get together and play music, sing,  dance and celebrate making memories together.

I have so many fond memories of being with Barbara. There were fun times like parties and traveling together to the Canadian Rockies. But also quieter times like working in the church library or just chatting about families and interests.  Barb was always ready to enjoy life to the fullest. She will be missed. 

Marj Delphey

We always enjoyed getting together - so much fun and such great discussions.  The trip to Peru was fabulous and created so many wonderful memories that we will cherish forever!  We are truly blessed to have known Barb.  

Debbie and Bob Everett

What beautiful tributes to a classy lady.  I remember when we first met her in Colorado thinking Wow! Greg hit the jackpot.  Love and strength to the Petty family.  

Larry and I have so many happy memories of the time we shared with Barb.  Though separated by almost 2000 miles we made the most of the times we had together, just picking up where we left off.  

One of my favorite memories is our trip to  Lake Powell many years ago.  All of us together,  floating  under the blue sky and singing along with the Eagles.   I will always remember Barb's zest for life and her big smile.  Together we were the Neon Sisters.   

It is hard to know where to begin. I have lost the light in my life, my soul mate and best friend - taken so quickly. I will grapple with how to go forward and am sure it will be painful. I am grateful for all of our dear friends in the Triangle and our new found friends in Clayton who have offered our family such support - I will need it going forward.

Believe it our not I met Barbara on a blind date - her best friend Kathy married my good friend Mickey. We met all together in Denver at a great restaurant and I have to tell you I fell in love immediately. Statuesque with the greatest cheek bones and green/blue eyes.
We had dinner, went to a rock n roll bar and danced until it closed. I drove Barbara home to her apartment where we talked all night about past relationships, what we wanted in life, God, Black Holes and what an infinite universe meant. As the sun rose I went home showered and went to work but I was not tired, I was jubilliant!
But I think I felt I was chasing a woman "above my pay grade" as they say so I knew that we had to be friends first then see where that led. What was I going to do to capture her heart?
After dating for a couple of month's I quit my job out of the blue, took my retirement savings, bought two tickets to Honolulu. I called her on the phone and sang Eddy Money's "I've Got Two Tickets to Paradise" to her. She said yes. On the porch at a house in Kane'Ohe overlooking the ocean , I got to my knees and asked her to marry me - and she said yes!
We were together for 38 years and went on to have two wonderful and successful children, Aaron and Erika. We both came from broken homes and had experienced the pain of a loved one's early death. We made a pact that no matter what was going on between us, and it was tested, we would figure it out and work hard to raise our children - and we did. We were so excited to have grandchildren and had traveled the world.
Barbara is watching over us.

This picture is a perfect depiction of our family, the Petty unit - doing karaoke in a taxi on the way to the beach.  This is how I want to remember mom - the lively, fun loving, free spirit she was. 

Barbara exuded a zest for life, always hospitable, eager for another hand of bridge.  We will miss her.

Barbara's infectious smile will always live in the hearts of those who knew her.  My heartfelt condolences to the family on their loss.  

OBITUARY

Barbara Dawn Petty

17 July, 1952 – 13 December, 2019

McLaurin Funeral Home & Pinecrest Memorial Park

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