Frances "Frankie" Barbee Presley

Frances “Frankie” Barbee Presley, 80, of Weaverville, NC died August 4, 2024. She was born in Asheville on November 21, 1943, to William P. and Velma Barbee. She was raised in Beech Community in Weaverville and was a graduate of North Buncombe High School, where she was elected Senior Class President.

Frankie attended Hardbarger Business College in Raleigh and Asheville-Biltmore College (which became UNCA). While at Asheville-Biltmore College, she met Richard Presley and they were married in 1967. The following year, Richard joined the U.S. Marine Corps and the couple lived on Marine Bases in Quantico, VA, Fort Sill, OK and Camp Lejeune, NC before Richard deployed to Vietnam. After his tour in Vietnam ended, Richard served at the Marine Base in Kaneohe Bay, HI and Frankie joined him there. Frankie and Richard returned home in 1971. 

In Asheville, Frankie worked at Karr Jewelers, first as a salesperson and then as a manager, from 1972 until its closure in 1979. In the 1990’s, she joined the family business, Hayes and Lunsford Electrical Contracting, where she served as a purchasing agent until her retirement. 

Frankie had a generous spirit, a big heart, a caring devotion to her family, and a zest for life. She loved the outdoors and was an avid canoeist.  

In addition to her parents, Frankie was preceded in death by her brother, William H. Barbee.  

She is survived by her husband Richard, brother and sister-in-law Thomas and Elizabeth Barbee, sister-in-law Susan Barbee, nephews Bert and John Barbee, nieces Beth Camacho (Tom) and Brooke Baldwin (Ryan) and dear friends Bernhard and Grace Conrad. 

A private burial will be held in Vance Cemetery. 

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving the Presley family. Condolences may be offered to the family under her obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.