Last Updated on December 17, 2025 5:17 pm
A former Watauga County Board of Education member and longtime educator has passed.
Barbara Lee (Bone) Kinsey, died Friday, December 13, 2025, in Durham.
She taught English and Latin for more than 38 years in public schools, including Watauga High School, and at the college level.
In 1982 she was named Wilkes County Teacher of the Year. She later served as president of the Watauga County Association of Educators and was among the first teachers trained through the North Carolina Teacher Academy, where she also served as a teacher trainer.
Kinsey also served four years on the Watauga County Board of Education.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Boone.
Obituary courtesy of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Barbara Lee (Bone) Kinsey, 82, passed away December 13, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina.
Born October 8, 1943, in DeRidder, Louisiana to Rev. Amos Bone and Retha Bone, Barbara was
a dedicated educator and community leader who spent nearly 50 years contributing to the life
of Watauga County.
Barbara received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Latin from Baylor University and a
Master of Arts from Appalachian State University. She taught English and Latin in public
schools, including Watauga High School, and at the college level for more than 38 years. In 1982
she was named Wilkes County Teacher of the Year, later served as president of the Watauga
County Association of Educators, and was among the first teachers trained through the North
Carolina Teacher Academy, where she also went on to serve as a teacher trainer.
Her students remember her not only for her high expectations and passion for language, but for
the way she opened the world to many of them through travel. She loved leading groups of
young people through Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, sharing the depth and richness
of the cultures that served as the foundation for the Latin she loved.
Barbara also served four years on the Watauga County Board of Education, where she
advocated for well-rounded classroom experiences and meaningful learning opportunities for
all students.
A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Boone, Barbara treasured her church community
and the many friendships she built there. She served as a Deacon, sang in the choir, and
stepped in as a backup organist whenever needed.
She enjoyed sewing, reading, long drives on the Parkway, and spending time on the front porch
swing overlooking the family farm in Stony Fork.
Barbara was married to Dr. Winston Kinsey for 47 years. She is survived by her daughters, Tricia
Kinsey Masters (David) of Clemmons and Robyn Kinsey Mooring (Dewey) of Durham; four
grandchildren, Ben Masters, Rachel Masters, Tyler Mooring, and Alex Mooring; and her sister,
Linda Keltner (Don). She was preceded in death by her husband Winston, her son Scott, her
parents, and her sister Jeanette Livingston.
A Celebration of Life Service for Barbara Kinsey will be conducted on Saturday, January 3, 2026
at First Baptist Church of Boone. Tricia and Robyn and their families will receive friends prior to
the service in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Boone from 12:30 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. A
private graveside service for family will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the
Piedmont Triad.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Kinsey family.
