Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Trailblazer, Barbara Gowan Alley of Lexington, SC joined Home Eternal on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Barbara was born on April 17, 1939 in Spartanburg, SC, to the late J.C. and Pauline Gowan. She has resided in the Midlands for the past 53 years. Barbara is survived by her adored husband, Rev. Joseph Walters Alley; as well as her children, Lynne Alley-Grant and husband Herb Grant of Blacksburg, VA and Joseph "Jay" Alley of Lexington, SC. In addition, she is survived by her grandchildren: Aubrey Grant-Kirschke (Vanessa Grant-Kirschke), Maggie Grant (Lauren Habel) and Annie Grant (Abby Schultz), Pierce Trotter, Joe Joe Alley, and Rivers Alley.

Barbara was an empathetic child, deeply caring and always wanting to help. These traits strengthened as she matured; she received a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Asbury College. As an educator, Barbara focused on understanding and encouraging vulnerable students in high-needs schools. Intelligent, articulate, and poised, she was a fierce advocate for racial justice and desegregation.

She earned a Master's degree in Student Personnel Services from the University of South Carolina. Barbara used eloquence and hospitality to bridge gaps and promote understanding, from her career in Higher Education to her Leadership Consulting. She spent her life on the "cutting edge," fearlessly guided by her convictions and assurance in the power of the Holy Spirit. As a pastor's spouse, her efforts were integral in expanding leadership opportunities for women within the United Methodist Church. Barbara Alley embodied love-in-action; she believed in making room at "the table" for everyone and modeled this principle for her children.

To know Barbara was to feel understood. She fostered unconditional positive regard for everyone she met and saw in all of us what we were unable to see in ourselves. Barbara will forever be remembered for her ability to love without exception. Though her body is no longer with us, her missional spirit lives on in her children and grandchildren. She will be sorely missed.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at 11 o'clock, Saturday, January 13th at Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church, 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia with the Rev. Dr. M. Lynne Alley-Grant officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10 o'clock. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

The family request memorial contributions be made to the SC Alzheimer's Association ( http://act.alz.org/site/TR/ActiveEvents/SC-SouthCarolina?px=11818260&pg=personal&fr_id=10937 ), 4124 Clemson Blvd. Suite L, Anderson, SC 29621 or Canoeing for Kids, 114 Riverchase Ct., Lexington, SC 29072.