Barbara McDowell Pleasant

Barbara McDowell Pleasant, age 73, of Danville, Virginia passed away on April 26, 2026, at her residence in the presence of her husband Dan and her immediate family.

She was born on March 16, 1953, in Roxboro, North Carolina to the late G.W. McDowell and Ora McDowell. Barbara is survived by her husband of 53 years Dan Miller Pleasant, Sr.; son, Dan Miller Pleasant, Jr. and his wife Beth of Raleigh, North Carolina; daughter Anna Grossnickle and her husband Andrew of Fredericksburg, Virginia; and two sisters, Linda Williams and Janet Lewis. Dan and Barbara are blessed with three loving grandchildren: Miller Pleasant, and James and Elizabeth Grossnickle.

From the moment of their coincidental meeting in the fall of 1972 in the Ballou Park Theater parking lot, it was “love at first sight” (at least for Dan, it took about a week for Barbara). They were married on September 22, 1973.

Barbara, being a very independent type, elected to move to Tampa, Florida to attend school after graduating from Person Senior High School. She graduated from Patricia Stevens College in 1972, pursuing a fashion modeling career. During her time in Tampa, Barbara participated in the Miss Florida pageant capitalizing on her beauty, confidence, pose and musical talents. Barbara returned to North Carolina and entered the fashion retail business.

Barbara was steadfast in supporting Dan in his career as a consulting engineer and being the head of the household and raising two wonderful children. Her passions were family, music, devotion to children and helping those in need. These passions led to her being the youth choir director for her church for 13 years where she made a positive impact on so many. Barbara served in numerous organizations serving people in need: God’s Storehouse, The Free Clinic, elementary school reading programs, hospital volunteer, the Board of Deacons at West Main Baptist Church where she served as chair and as the director of the American Belarussian Relief Program for many years.

Barbara’s emotional IQ was off the charts. Anyone meeting and spending just a little time with Barbara recognized her special nature and you freely shared your life history with her and received genuine care and concerns in return and came away with a “new best” friend. Barbara had so many dear “best” friends, and she nurtured these relationships constantly.

The family wants to extend special thanks to Commonwealth Hospice, to her nurse Lynn Maddox and to Barbara’s friend and caregiver, Bessie Waller. Barbara, Lynn and Bessie made quite a good choir.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at West Main Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia with Bruce Wilson and Drew Herring officiating. Immediately following the service, the family will host friends at the Danville Golf Club to celebrate Barbara’s life, a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Gods Storehouse of Danville, or a local charity of your choice.