Doris Imlay

Doris Barbee Imlay, 86, of Charlotte, NC passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022 at Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster in Charlotte from heart complications.

Born July 3, 1935, to the late Mary Honeycutt Barbee and the late Henry Barbee of Locust. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers Herman Barbee, Carmen Barbee, Velt “Bud” Barbee, all of Locust and Kenneth “Red” Barbee of Concord.  Her sisters Lorene Almond of Mission, NC Donna Sue Barbee of Salisbury, and a niece Phoebe Barbee of Midland.

A graduate of Stanfield High in 1953, Doris resided in Locust until moving to south Charlotte.  In 1966, she began a clerical profession at American Sussen, a German based company specializing in textile machinery.   A career which spanned over 34 years, she served many facets of the company including accounting, purchasing, and customer relations.  It was here that she met her best friend and neighbor of over 53 years, Sylvia Dallimore, who joined the company from Germany.

After retirement in the spring of 2000, Doris and Sylvia set the world ablaze checking off an impressive bucket list of travels.   Over the next decade, they traced many parts of Europe including Germany and Ireland, mapped a quest through Canada and lit a trail across the US logging miles in 47 of the 50 states.  From catching wild salmon in Alaska, riding horses on a ranch in Arizona, hiking at Big Bend National Park, crossing the International Bridge into Mexico, to standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, Doris absolutely loved the element of adventure and never spared the opportunity to embrace it.  When they weren’t traveling, they could be found enjoying the serenity and splendor of the high country from their mountain cabin in Deep Gap.  It was their home away from home where they loved to walk the area trails and take in the local festivals especially the apple and blueberry harvests.

Doris called the Collins Park Community “home”.    She adored her neighbors and never missed an event.  Whether it was a block party, or a charity walk, she was always there to lend a hand and participate.   Doris spent her afternoons sitting on her bench greeting everyone as they passed by on their daily walks.  The dogs, babies, children, young and old, she knew them all.  It was the highlight of her day.

An avid gardener, Doris stayed busy in the spring and summer diligently tending to her vegetables, working in her yard and keeping her flowers to perfection.  Doris was strong willed and possessed razor sharp wit that most certainly never disappointed.   Most of all, she was fiercely devoted to her family and friends.

Doris is survived by Sylvia Dallimore, nephews Terry Almond of Lexington, Doug Barbee, Allen Barbee, Dana Barbee, all of Locust and nieces Sandy Burr, of Charlotte, Gwen Long, Wanda Dahl, Kendra Tucker, Carmen Hinson, Vickie McCall all of Locust, Sonja Barbee of Statesville and Amy Barbee of Richfield.

Memorials may be sent to Woodlawn Baptist Church, where Doris was a member, located at 4622 Nations Crossing Road, Charlotte NC  28217.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Imlay family.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.hartsellfh.com