Barbara Ann (James Davidson) Riley

Barbara Ann James Davidson Riley, 89, of Salisbury, NC, passed away peacefully at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House on May 25, 2026.

The daughter of the late Arthur Lee James and Carrie Belle Hollar James, Barbara was born in Statesville, North Carolina, on August 4, 1936.

She was an excellent student throughout her school years, graduating third in her senior class at Celeste Hinkle High School (Iredell County) in 1954.

On Oct. 7, 1955, at the age of 19, Barbara married William James (Jim) Davidson, also of Statesville.

Barbara and Jim had four children, three of which (Sharon, Dennis and Rex) were born in Statesville. They moved to Salisbury in 1964 and six years later, they had another son (Marty).

Barbara was a devoted mother and homemaker; as a young mother, she loved her trusty sewing machine and made clothes for herself and children.

Barbara turned her sewing skills into a job, returning to the workforce in the early 1970s. She excelled at Markey Fabrics in the Ketner Center before returning to another love – accounting.

She worked at the W.T. Grant store’s office in downtown Salisbury, before landing a key position in the accounts payable department at Food Town/Lion headquarters in 1974.

Food Lion had just 22 stores when Barbara started work there and she witnessed the company's vast expansion before retiring in 1991.

Barbara soon found retirement unsatisfying and began working again, first at J.C. Penney in the Salisbury Mall and then in the medical office of Dr. Lloyd Nickerson. She worked until she was 72 years old, retiring again in 2008.

Barbara was an avid reader and would go through 3-4 books per week, at the height of her reading.  A happy outing for Barbara was going to Rowan Public Library for more books.

A true cat lover, there were not many years in Barbara's life that she did not have a cat in her home, cherishing that companionship.

Another love, in addition to her family, was the Atlanta Braves, especially later in her life. She was especially fond of Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies. Barbara always found the end of the baseball season sad and couldn't wait for Spring Training to begin again.

She cared deeply about her friends and neighbors at Castlewood in Salisbury, and the staff at her favorite hair salon and restaurants, Jeter's Deli, Checkered Flag BBQ and Il Colosseo.

Barbara attended numerous churches throughout her adult life, including Enon Baptist, John Calvin Presbyterian, Milford Hills United Methodist, Gloria Dei Lutheran and most recently, Centenary Methodist.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry (infant) and Donald James (2002), sisters-in-law Mildred A. James (2007) and Barbara Kelly James (2021), son-in-law W. Alan Garrett (2008), grandson-in-law Caleb Hanby (2015), stepson Joseph Riley Jr. (1991), stepdaughter Christine Riley Weber (2022) and cousin David James (2010).

She was also predeceased by both of her husbands, Jim, who died in 1986, and Joseph Riley, Barbara's husband from 1988 until his death in 2017.

Surviving to cherish the memories of Barbara: A daughter, Sharon Hugenberg (Paul) of Wilmington, NC; sons, Dennis Davidson (Toni) of Salisbury, Rex Todd Davidson (Jennifer) of Irmo, S.C., and Marty Davidson (Amber) of Salisbury; a brother, Kenneth James of Statesville; former sister-in-law Ruth James of Statesville; cousins, Julia Stikeleather of Stony Point, Doris Wilcox of Statesville and Robert James of Statesville; niece Janice Neill of Troutman; stepdaughter Cathy Riley Hyer of Sanford, stepdaughter Sue Riley Johnson of Oak Ridge, Tenn., stepson-in-law Lynn Weber of Monument, Colorado; 10 grandchildren: J. Alan Garrett of Wilmington, Bethany D. Sage (John) of China Grove, Kathryn D. Johnson (Alex) of Davidson, Carrie Davidson of Davidson, Brandon Davidson, Lanie Davidson, Macie Davidson and Sophie Davidson, all of Salisbury, Isabella Davidson and Emmalee Davidson, both of Irmo, SC; step-grandsons Spencer Turner of Oak Ridge, TN, Sam Turner of Chattanooga, TN, and Justin Weber of Chicago, IL; and one great-grandson, Taylor Garrett of Wilmington.

The family wishes to thank Barbara's dedicated caregivers, especially Dr. Chetan Amin and his staff, and the staff at Kiser Hospice House.

The family also thanks the wonderful friends and neighbors of Castlewood, who visited often and were always willing to help when needed.

A graveside service for Barbara will be held at a date to be determined, at Rowan Memorial Park, Salisbury.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Humane Society of Rowan County or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Lyerly Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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