Clearwater, FL ~ Mrs. Barbara Grier Hefley, age 79, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Clearwater at the Suncoast Hospice Care Center. She passed away quietly and peacefully after a long battle with a progressive illness. She was loved and cared for until the end by her best friend and spouse of 60 years, James C. Hefley, Sr.

She was born August 3, 1946, in Lancaster, SC, the daughter of the late Rev. Grover Cleveland Grier and the late Willie Elizabeth Stroud Grier. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother to two sons, James C. Hefley Jr (deceased) and Mark W. Hefley. Barbara lived nearly all her life between Lancaster and Richburg, South Carolina before she and James moved to Clearwater, Florida in October of 2024 to be close to her son, Mark, daughter-in-law, Teresa, granddaughter, Hanna Hefley, and great granddaughter, Isabella Panagopoulos. She loved spending time with her family. Barbara was a devout Christian and after relocating, had recently begun attending The Church By The Sea in Madeira Beach, FL.

In addition to those mentioned above, she is survived by three brothers, William "Bill" Grier" (Brenda - spouse), Wesley Grier (Rosalind - spouse); and Marshall Grier; and also three sisters, Maxine Roof, Sandra Carnes and Susan Maciaricello (Bob - spouse) as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her oldest son; two brothers, Robert "Sonny" Grier and Thomas “TR” Grier; and three sisters, Jettie Caskey, Bonnie Galloway, and Edria Payne.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 3:00 pm, on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Burgess Funeral Home in Lancaster, SC, followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, mail checks or money orders to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or through the link below.