Last Updated on December 17, 2025 5:17 pm
A former Watauga County Board of Education member and longtime educator has passed.
Barbara Lee (Bone) Kinsey, died Friday, December 13, 2025, in Durham.
She taught English and Latin for more than 38 years in public schools, including Watauga High School, and at the college level.
In 1982 she was named Wilkes County Teacher of the Year. She later served as president of the Watauga County Association of Educators and was among the first teachers trained through the North Carolina Teacher Academy, where she also served as a teacher trainer.
Kinsey also served four years on the Watauga County Board of Education.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Boone.
Obituary courtesy of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Barbara Lee (Bone) Kinsey, 82, passed away December 13, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina.Born October 8, 1943, in DeRidder, Louisiana to Rev. Amos Bone and Retha Bone, Barbara wasa dedicated educator and community leader who spent nearly 50 years contributing to the lifeof Watauga County.
Barbara received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Latin from Baylor University and aMaster of Arts from Appalachian State University. She taught English and Latin in publicschools, including Watauga High School, and at the college level for more than 38 years. In 1982she was named Wilkes County Teacher of the Year, later served as president of the WataugaCounty Association of Educators, and was among the first teachers trained through the NorthCarolina Teacher Academy, where she also went on to serve as a teacher trainer.
Her students remember her not only for her high expectations and passion for language, but forthe way she opened the world to many of them through travel. She loved leading groups ofyoung people through Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, sharing the depth and richnessof the cultures that served as the foundation for the Latin she loved.
Barbara also served four years on the Watauga County Board of Education, where sheadvocated for well-rounded classroom experiences and meaningful learning opportunities forall students.
A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Boone, Barbara treasured her church communityand the many friendships she built there. She served as a Deacon, sang in the choir, andstepped in as a backup organist whenever needed.She enjoyed sewing, reading, long drives on the Parkway, and spending time on the front porchswing overlooking the family farm in Stony Fork.
Barbara was married to Dr. Winston Kinsey for 47 years. She is survived by her daughters, TriciaKinsey Masters (David) of Clemmons and Robyn Kinsey Mooring (Dewey) of Durham; fourgrandchildren, Ben Masters, Rachel Masters, Tyler Mooring, and Alex Mooring; and her sister,Linda Keltner (Don). She was preceded in death by her husband Winston, her son Scott, herparents, and her sister Jeanette Livingston.
A Celebration of Life Service for Barbara Kinsey will be conducted on Saturday, January 3, 2026at First Baptist Church of Boone. Tricia and Robyn and their families will receive friends prior tothe service in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Boone from 12:30 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. Aprivate graveside service for family will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of thePiedmont Triad.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Kinsey family.
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