Barbara Anne Wiggins Falls

She was a High School graduate of 1957 at Ashley High School in Gastonia. The only thing more exciting would be her meeting her future husband, Max Falls, at a dance in Bessemer City. They would go on to marry and life changed from that moment on.

Barbara went on to become Finance/Banking Manager in a time that was trailblazing for women to do so. She was successful in every aspect of her career.

Nothing was more pleasurable to Barbara than working outside in her flower beds. The simple pleasure of planting something with her own hands, watching it grow and bloom, was the best satisfaction. She loved a beautiful lawn which ran, still runs, in the family.

She loved getting to know others. Having them just sit down to visit without doing anything for her or any expectations. Just pure conversation and coffee.

Barbara was a devoted activist for those who couldn’t speak for themselves such as: the mentally handicapped. She was entrusted and nominated by the Governor to serve on the Governor’s Advocacy

Committee for Disability Rights. She dedicated over 15 years on the Client’s Rights Board for the Mentally Handicapped. Barbara worked with local Senators to obtain support, funding and suggested legislation. She would later pass the baton to her son, Byron, resuming the same practice of ensuring the disabled had a loud voice.

She civilly served as a Red-Cross Coordinator in her hometown of Bessemer City.

Barbara faithfully loved her church and God while serving as a Sunday School Teacher, Elder and Session Member at First Presbyterian Church.

Barbara loved life even in her hardest of times health wise. She never gave in to COPD, to Stage 3, and she never stopped living. She never allowed these things to take away her family joy. She was independent to the core. Loving to the bone and an inspiration beyond measure.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by her husband, Max Elam Falls; daughter, Dana Anne Falls and brother-in-law, Roger Cash.

She is survived by her children, Marlis Falls Morrison and husband Joe, Eric Elam Falls, and Byron Eugene Falls and wife Ashley Walters Falls; grandchildren, Max and Henry Falls; sisters, Jackie White and Sandra Cash; and special niece, Brenda K. Mauney.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church in Bessemer City with the funeral service to begin at 11:00 am. A committal service will follow at Westview Gardens.

The family would like to give special thanks to Home Instead Senior Care - Gastonia, NC and Hospice and Palliative Care – Charlotte Region.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 365, Bessemer City, NC 28016.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com for the Falls Family.