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By Kris Harrell

Barbra Ann Perdue Middleton passed away on Dec 21 at the age of 86, after a short illness in Greenville.

In life, Middleton was involved in many areas of civic and church engagement and left behind a legacy of kindness remembered by others. 

“She was so kind; Barbara had this ability that she could talk to anybody, and people responded to her because they sensed her innate kindness,” said Pam Nolan, executive board member of the Butler County Historical and Genealogical Society (BCHGS) and friend of Middleton. “They were drawn to her because of it. Anywhere she went, it was almost like being with a local celebrity because she knew everybody, she’d been here for so long.” 

Outside of her 33-year career as a bookkeeper at Greenville Cash and Carry, Middleton was involved in the Greenville community in many ways. 

At Spring Creek Baptist Church, Middleton served in a variety of positions. She finally served as the church historian and promoted different mission initiatives such as the Myers Mallory State Missions Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  

“I think that so many of the things that she was involved in, they really were integrated into her faith and her view of the world, her view of the value of people,” said John Massey, pastor of Spring Creek Baptist Church. “I think that’s independently described her as [an] Encyclopedia of knowledge and wealth as a church historian, a historian extraordinaire. There’s just so much that can be said about her.”

With her love of history, Middleton served as president of the BCHGS for 22 years, working with the society to replace six historical markers in Butler County to celebrate the society’s 60th anniversary. 

Middleton also served as the historian for the Butler County Baptist Association, the Director of Missions for the Spring Creek Baptist Church and president of the Steiner Store Homemakers Club. 

Additionally, Middleton received the 2023 Spirit of Greenville Award from the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce. 

“As you go along in life there are people that you meet during your day and you have a nice interaction with them, a smile, a ‘Thank you’ or [the simple act of] holding the door open for you,” Nolan said. “There are people who make your day better, but then every once in a while, you might be blessed with meeting, getting to know somebody who makes your life better, and I can say that was Barbara for anybody who knew her.”

Funeral Services for Middleton were held Saturday, Dec 28 at 2p.m at Spring Creek Baptist Church, with a burial to follow in the church’s cemetery. Family and friends held a visitation at 1 p.m before the service.