WILMINGTON — Barbara Elaine Butzin, 85, of Wilmington, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Peak Resources Wilmington.
She was born on November 19, 1939, in Roanoke, VA, to the late Raymond and Mildred (Staley) Cooper.
Barbara’s life was a tapestry of love, resilience, and joy.
Mom loved the Lord and her faith never wavered even through the losses and hard times. Watching her lose sons Sammy and Sidney, her mother Mildred, Betty her sister, Jamie, Bobby, Zachary, and one of her best friends Carol and many more taught us where strength comes from.
She was gifted and talented beyond measure, and poured her heart into all the paths in life she chose. She loved swimming in the ocean and bathing in cold mountain waters. In early years when owning a wallpaper business we would take breaks and just sit on the floor and admire how beautiful it would make a room. Later she got to use her eye for color with interior designs and I think this may have been her favorite, and then on to Real Estate.
Her desire for adventure, to wander, and travel was in her blood and after retirement getting her own camper and heading out to be in quiet places and learning all she could about fly fishing gave her the peace she sought. She had few fears and even pulled over in the mountains once and told me to jump out and take a picture of a bear in the bushes at a highway ramp in the blue ridge mountains! I was saying no and she is laughing at me, luckily the bear ran the other direction.
Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit remains in every kind word, warm embrace, and cherished memory.
Mom, your love was the kind that doesn’t fade, even when you are no longer here to hold us. Your kindness lives in the lessons you left behind: the way you taught patience by example, forgave easily. We cherish every moment we spent together. You’ve always been our safe haven, guiding us with care.
Rest in peace mother, you will forever be in our hearts.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Donald F. Butzin; her son, Jason E. Yopp and wife, Katherine; her daughter, Beverly Gisonna and husband, James; 9 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 5 great great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Barbara was also preceded in death by her sons, Sammy A. Yopp, Sidney L. Yopp; her brother, Raymond Lewis Cooper, Jr.; her sister, Betty C. Edwards; her grandchildren, Zachary Paul Tyler and Jamie C. Sessoms.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
