Barbara Leary Elbualy

   Barbara Leary Elbualy, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

   She was born November 23, 1934 in Edenton, NC to West and Hazel Leary. Barbara grew up in Edenton and then went on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study nursing. After becoming a Registered Nurse, she worked in Stanford, CT, where she met her future husband, Dr. Musallam Seif Elbualy. They married in Liverpool, England in 1962, where she continued to work as a nurse until the birth of her daughter, Mariam. In the winter of 1963, they returned to the States, where her two sons, Yusuf and Seif, were born. The children were raised in Miami, FL after a few years in Baltimore, MD. In 1981, her husband returned to his ancestral country of Oman to work as a pediatrician. Barbara joined him there in 1984 after all of her children graduated from high school. She lived in Muscat, Oman until Musallam’s death in 1997.

   Barbara then returned home to Edenton where she lived the rest of her days. She loved Jesus and her family with a deep, unwavering love. She was a faithful member of Edenton Baptist Church and part of a Women’s Missionary Circle. Barbara also was a member of the Colonial Dames and the Colonial Investment Club. Her parents, West and Hazel Leary, were still living when she came home to Edenton. She was a devoted daughter who tended to their needs and loved them dearly. Barbara was also very close to her two sisters, Charlotte and Jo Ann. They simply lived life together as best friends with daily phone calls and activities as well as trips to visit family and traveling for fun.

   Barbara was a devoted mother and grandmother, always remembering birthdays and anniversaries with cards and letters. She traveled to visit her children and grandchildren often when she was younger. She was generous, kind, thoughtful, compassionate, honest and strong. Barbara spoke her mind and sought to honor God in all she did. She loved to read the Bible and spent many hours rereading her favorite books.

   Barbara has touched countless lives of family, friends, and people she didn’t even know through her generosity and kind spirit. She will never be forgotten and will be deeply missed until we are reunited in heaven one day.

   Surviving are her children, Mariam Elbualy Edge (husband, Clifton) of Quincy, FL, Yusuf Musallam Elbualy (wife, Kim) of Lewistown, PA, and Seif Musallam Elbualy (wife, Chris) of Ocean Ridge, FL; her sisters, Charlotte L. Small (husband, Leonard, Sr., deceased) and Jo Ann L. Domb (husband, Ed), both of Edenton; four grandchildren, Anna Edge, and Azizza, Alya, and Raif Elbualy; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

   Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 21st, at 3:00 p.m. in Edenton Baptist Church and will be conducted by the Reverend Jon Reece. The burial will follow in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at her sister Charlotte’s home, 110 West Gale Street, where the out of town family will begin gathering on Friday.

   Flowers are welcome, or contributions may be made in her memory to Edenton Baptist Church, 200 S. Granville Street, Edenton, NC 27932.

   Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.