Wall, Barbara Jones
Barbara Ann Jones Wall, known as “Barbie” to her parents, “Bobbie” to her family and friends, “Mama” to her children and “Pawpaw” to her grandchildren, died on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the age of 94. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 1:00 p.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, Va.
Bobbie had a passion for feeding her family and friends. Although she burned a lot of toast under the broiler, she was a great cook who would prepare a meal for two or fifty-two. She was a natural caregiver who understood the art of bringing physical comfort. She was a second Mama to her younger siblings and her nephews and nieces. She loved walking and sunbathing on Holden Beach. She liked traveling, especially taking unplanned diversions along the way. She found great joy in her grandsons and spent as much time as possible with them when they were children. As she loaded them up in her car to take them home with her she would say, “Okay, we’re going to party, party, party!” She was proud of them and adored her great-grandchildren.
Bobbie grew up in the city of Richmond, Va. She and her sister Pat and their friends jumped rope in the neighborhood streets, went to the movies on Saturday afternoons, and sledded down the big hill in Byrd Park when it snowed. Bobbie and Pat spent happy summers on their grandparents’ farm. Bobbie graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in the business course and worked as a secretary for Philip Morris during her senior year and after she graduated. Then she met her beloved Sam.
Sam and Bobbie married in 1950. They lived in Nashville, Tenn., Buchanan, Va., and Aiken, S.C. and had three children when Sam was called into the ministry. They moved and he completed degrees at North Greenville Baptist Junior College, Furman University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. As Sam studied, worked nights and took on part-time pastorates, Bobbie learned to manage home life, working, and frequent moves. She studied much of what Sam did, and he said she “had the knowledge without the degree.” Once Sam graduated and entered full-time ministry, Bobbie was his partner. From starting new Sunday School classes to planning hayrides to housing and feeding revival pastors to hosting weddings in the parsonage living room, she supported all Sam’s efforts. They served at Beulah Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, Va. and Green Ridge Baptist Church in Roanoke, where Bobbie worked in the personnel office at Community Hospital.
At retirement in 1985, Sam and Bobbie moved to Nathalie, Va. After Sam’s death in 1992 Bobbie and her daughter Sammie continued to live there until 2016. At the time of her death Bobbie lived at Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg.
In addition to Sam, Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, John Bagby Jones and Celeste Harkey Jones; her sister Pat Allen; her special aunt and uncle, Madge Jones Conner and Red Conner; and her nephews Keith Allen and Carson Bishop.
Her survivors include her daughters, Sammie Wall and Kathie Dickenson; son Mark Wall; son-in-law James Dickenson; grandchildren Andrew Dickenson, Travis Dickenson (Carrie), and Hunter Dickenson (Erin); great-grandchildren Julian Dickenson, Isabella Dickenson, Nataleigh Dickenson, Ruth Dickenson, Caleb Dickenson and Elliott Dickenson; brother J.B. Jones (Luci); sisters Beverly Jones Witherington (Tim Norman) and Charlotte Jones Lind (Bobby); nieces Dale Allen Couch, Lori Lind Scott, Sara Lind Hodnett, Jennifer Jones Garrigan, Kimberley Jones Murray and Martha Bishop; nephews Jason Jones, Casey Bishop and Kyle Bishop.
The family sends special appreciation to Bobbie’s wonderful home care aide Ashley Ramsey; and many thanks to the nurses and staff of the Kroontje Healthcare Center at Warm Hearth Village for their kindness and care.
