Barbara (Needham) Haley

On April 16, 2024, Barbara Needham Haley of Candler NC, age 82, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ after experiencing unrecoverable seizure activity following brain surgery. She passed away peacefully after a very brief stay in CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville, NC. Asheville Area Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services assisted the family.

Barbara was born Barbara Cheralynn Needham on August 29, 1941, in San Francisco, CA. She was the second of twelve children born to Von Hollis Needham (TN) and Mary Margaret Russell (OR). She lived in several western states growing up but eventually settled in Lincoln Park, Michigan after her father returned from WWII. She graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 1959. She married Robert P. Haley of Mt. Clemens Michigan in 1961 and had three children.

After moving to Western North Carolina in 1977, she spent much of her career in an office administrative capacity for various industries. She retired from Continental Teves in Asheville, NC. After retirement, she pursued her goal of completing her college degree, graduating from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville, NC with a degree in Business Administration.

She was a life-long avid reader in many subjects that ranged from general science to history but had a devoted love for the Bible and all topics related to Biblical study and history. She was a gifted artist. Her talent showed up in everything she did, especially at Christmas time. Creating a true holiday home with spectacular trees, decorations, baking and all the merriment that time of year brings was her joy. She enjoyed doing all types of needlework, particularly knitting, cross-stitch and crocheting. She spent hours knitting doll clothes for donation to children’s organizations. Her other talents included oil painting, gardening, cake decorating and home canning. Her specialty (and most coveted by everyone) were her brandied cherries and brandied peaches! She had a heart of compassion for many causes, including supporting ending animal cruelty. She was also a staunch supporter of Israel and the Jewish people. Donations can be made in her memory to the ASPCA (https://www.aspca.org/) or to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (https://www.ifcj.org/). She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert P. Haley of Candler, NC, her children Robert P. Haley, Jr (Carol), Deborah K. Haley, Katherine H. Jimison, five grandchildren Sarah E. Jimison (Brady), Lydia J. Treadway (Mathew), Hannah R. Haley (Trenton), Noah M. Haley, Joshua A. Jimison, one great-grandchild Isla Miller, and seven of her siblings Maralynn Lambert, Loretta Needham, Jeanette Needham, David Needham, Bill Needham, Robert Needham, and Kelly Needham.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings (Carl Needham, Carol Harrison, Von C (Butch) Needham, Diane Needham, all of Michigan) and son-in-law Jerry Jimison of Candler, NC.

Rest in peace, Honey/Mom/Grandma. We love and miss you! Until we meet again…

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”- John 3:16, NASB

Interment will be at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia, Michigan.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara (Needham) Haley, please visit our floral store.