Barbara Ann Little Priester

Barbara Ann Little Priester of the Stonewall Community in Lee County, AL,  passed into heaven on July 24, 2025. Services will be held on Saturday, August 2, at Opelika’s Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, with visitation at 10:00 a.m., a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., and a family committal service at the funeral home in place of a graveside service. 

Mrs. Priester is survived by her daughters Ann Priester Bennett (Kevin) of Stonewall, Sharon Priester Whitt (Mike) of Montgomery, and Reeder Priester Dulaney (Gene) of Auburn; grandchildren Kevin O’Brien Bennett (Katie) of Elizabethton, TN, Robert Priester Bennett of Washington, DC, James Luke Bennett (Courtney) of Florence, AL, Carrie Whitt Garcia (Michael) of Titus, AL, Joseph Thurston Whitt (Sabrina) of Pelham, AL, Catherine Priester Billor (Deniscan) of Seattle, WA, Martha Priester Swann (Steven) of Waverly, AL, Forrest Jackson Priester (Kimberly Rose) of Waverly, Caroline Dulaney Nette (Aaron) of Camp Pendleton, CA, and James “Jay” Reeder Dulaney of Franklin, TN; 14 great-grandchildren (Tucker, Kyrie Joy, Evan, Ryan, Eleah, Rhett, Asher, Norah Beth, Joanna, and Will Bennett; Virginia Wynn and Grace Louise Garcia; Aila Nette; and baby girl Billor), as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister, Iris Little Norman of Greenville, AL, formerly of Ft. Deposit, AL. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. J. R. Priester; her son, John Bruce Priester of Midway, AL; her brother John G. Little, Jr. of Greenville, AL; her sister Nina Little MacGuire of Greenville, AL.; and her niece Pat Norman of Jacksonville, AL. 

Barbara was born October 4, 1932, to Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Little in Greenville, AL. She was a graduate of Greenville High School and attended Judson College. After college, she worked at her father’s sewing factory in Greenville, AL. She met her future husband, J. R. (Buddy) Priester, in Greenville. After their marriage, they moved to his family’s farm in the Stonewall community of Lee County. There, they reared four children, farmed, and raised cattle. She was a faithful member of Farmville Baptist Church, serving in Vacation Bible School, years of nursery duty, and multiple committee positions until family health issues finally prevented her attendance. 

She owned and managed Priester’s Mobile Home Park on Waverly Parkway in Opelika from the early 1960s until 1996. In 1985, she and her husband began a commercial white-tail deer hunting business, Stonewall Plantation, where she served as gracious hostess. She had an amazing gift of hospitality, and everyone felt welcome in her home. She extended grace to everyone, and everyone felt her love. 

Barbara was an early supporter of Scott Preparatory School and a pioneer in building up the Lee County Republican Club and Republican Women of East Alabama. She received the Lee County Republican Member of the Year award in 1996 and 2018. She was a long-time member of the Alabama Republican Party’s State Executive Committee and attended the 2008 Republican National Convention. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, Lee County Historical Association, Butler County Historical Association, and the Museum of East Alabama. 

All expressions of condolence are welcome. Memorials may be directed to Farmville Baptist Church (www.farmvillebaptistchurch.org), or any of the organizations she supported. 

We would like to express our thanks to all her loving caregivers at her home, Morningside and Camellia Place. She truly loved each of you as her second family. We express special thanks to her special caregiver and friend, Lillie Freeman.