Helen Barboza

Ruby Helen Barboza, 91, of Lexington, wife of the late Davide (Dave) Barboza, has finished her race and kept the faith.  She has earned her reward and now rests in the loving hands of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and has been reunited with her husband of 68 years. Momma, Granny Doll or Neena as she was lovingly known to her children and grandchildren crossed over into eternal peace and joy on October 13. 2025. 

Born March 13, 1934 in Lerona, West Virginia she was the daughter of the late Maynard Wood and Lola Kirk.  She was a graduate of Athens High School and Concord College in Athens, West Virginia. 

She met the love of her life in Washington DC.  A young girl from the mountains of West Virginia and a young man from Providence, Rhode Island who said the moment he saw her she was “lit by a light from Heaven”.  A Hillbilly and a Yankee, it truly was a match made in Heaven.  What followed was more than two decades of life as a military wife. Helen traveled the country and world, always making wherever the family landed home.

After retirement from the military the family moved to the Columbia area where Helen worked in Civil Service at Fort Jackson. She was a longtime member of Lake Murray Baptist Church, where she served faithfully and most recently of Mt. Horeb Church in Lexington.

The Lord granted her the gift of spreading the Gospel.  She and her husband founded a number of Gospel groups, most notably the Memory Singers, who traveled the south for decades sharing the Good News. From her seat behind the piano all the members knew who was really running the show! 

She was so proud of her children and grandchildren and loved them dearly.  Helen was a strong woman, persevering and keeping the faith at times when others would have fallen short.  Even after the loss of her loving husband, her light continued to shine bringing joy to those around her.

She is survived by her son, Gary Barboza (Anne); her daughter, Lisa Kayton (Erwin); her grandchildren, Kristina Nieves (Luis), David Barboza and Nicholas Barboza. She also leaves behind niece, Betty Jane Miller and nephew, Edward Wood. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, James E. Wood (Lorena) and Frank A. Wood (Dorothy).

The family would like to extend its appreciation to the staff of Oakleaf Village in Lexington and the nursing staff at Lexington Medical Center.  In particular Sami Bullock and Addison Jeffcoat whose care and compassion for her in her final days went above and beyond.

Visitation will be at 11am Tuesday, October 21, with service at 12 noon at Barr Price Funeral Home in Lexington.  A graveside service will follow at 2pm at Fort Jackson National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with her husband.

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