Louise Barkley

Louise Leatherman Barkley, passed away on Christmas Day at Terrace Ridge Assisted Living Center in Gastonia. She was 95.

The daughter of Lawrence and Annie White Leatherman, she was born on September 6, 1921. She was a native of Lincolnton, NC, but lived briefly in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. In her later years, she loved telling visitors of her childhood cross-country journey.

Louise was the first female manager of Bloomcraft/Rolane Outlet Store in Lincolnton, where she was once named Manager of the Year for the state of North Carolina. She retired from Rolane after a twenty- year career. She was also a longtime and active member of the Hickory Grove Home Extension Club. Louise was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Lincolnton.

She is survived by her children, Julius Barkley and wife Karen and Linda Hoyle; grandchildren Jackson Barkley and fiancée Lara Donnelly, Jennifer Vincett and husband Matt, Kendall and McKenzie Barkley, Michael Hoyle, and Alex Barkley-Denney and husband David; three Great-Grandchildren, Sullivan, Henry, and Emery; and sister, Nancy Davis;.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Julius Franklin Barkley, Sr., and four brothers.

A graveside service will be held at 11 am on Thursday at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Lincolnton, with the Rev. Dick Whitener officiating. The family will greet friends after the service at the graveside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice, PO Box 3984, Gastonia NC 28054.