Barbara Wesselmann Stark

Barbara Wesselmann Stark, 94, of Davidson, N.C., died peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at The Pines of Davidson where she was a long-time resident. She was born April 25, 1929 in Buffalo, N.Y. and was the daughter of the late Louis E. and Ruth Fisher Wesselmann.

Barbara was a graduate of Bennett High School in Buffalo and Middlebury College in Vermont. She earned her Masters in Elementary Education from Boston University.              She enjoyed her affiliations with Kappa Kappa Gamma and Delta Kappa Gamma. Her teaching career was primarily in elementary school/5th grade and took her from Newburyport and Marblehead, Mass., to Snyder, N.Y., and Charlotte, N.C, where she retired from Myers Park Traditional School in 1990.

Barbara is survived by her 3 children Robert Wilson Stark (Kitt), Katherine Wilson Crosby,and Lynda Ruth Stark (Robert Collier); grandchildren Robert James Stark (Melissa), Stephanie Lyn Crosby, Jeremy Brett Collier, Cameron Andrew Collier (Abby), and Audrey Elise Collier; step-grandchildren Victor Jr. (Amy), Sherrill, Nick Stark, and Cheyenne Beasley, daughter-in-law Pennie Trevillian, 11 great-grandchildren, and 7 special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband S. Walter Stark, as well as her first husband Robert D Wilson, M.D., and her 2 step-children Victor and Judy Stark.

A lifelong music lover, Barbara’s interests ranged from sacred to classical to Broadway show tunes. She was a vocal soloist for churches and events and sang in choirs all of her life. Mrs. Stark was an active member of Myers Park Baptist Church and their Chancel Choir.. After she and Walter moved to Davidson, she joined DCPC, sang in the choir, and was a member of Presbyterian Women’s Circle #4. Other groups she sang with were the Charlotte Oratorio Singers and the Pinetones.

Working with MPBC’s music department was one of Barbara’s favorite volunteer activities, along with preparing church suppers and delivering Meals on Wheels. She also served on the Welcoming Committee and the Pines Nature Organization at The Pines. But the post-retirement role she loved the most was caring for her nearby grandchildren when they were young. She was very proud of all of her grands. Barbara was also an avid reader and kept up on news and politics. Her compassion and social conscience led her to support many humanitarian and environmental causes.  And she was a friend to every dog, the bigger and fluffier, the better.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM Sunday, March 3, at Davidson College Presbyterian Church with Robert Alexander officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Davidson College Presbyterian Church Community Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 337, Davidson, NC 28036; The Pines Residents Fund or Pines Nature Organization (PNO),The Pines, 400 Avinger Lane, Davidson, NC 28038.

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