On Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, Barbara Starcher Myers, loving wife, mother and Nana, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 77. Barbara was born on Feb. 21, 1942, in Spencer, W.Va., only child to Thelma Louise Carpenter, who preceded her in death.
On June 22, 1991, Barbara married John D. Myers. With this marriage, two families were brought together as one and many years of happiness followed.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband John D. Myers; five children, 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: daughter, Mollianne Hamilton, husband Mark Hamilton, their three children, granddaughter, Avary Hamilton, grandson, Owen Hamilton, and granddaughter, Lily Hamilton; son, Victor Starcher, wife Jennifer Starcher, their two children, grandson, Hayden Starcher, and granddaughter, Lexi Starcher; daughter, Michelle Neff, her two children, granddaughter, Devin Neff, and granddaughter, Spencer Neff, and her two children, great-grandson, Hudson Kleinschmidt, and great-granddaughter, Willow Kleinschmidt; daughter, Stephanie Slone, husband Tom Slone, their four children, granddaughter, Laure’l Slone, grandson, Johnny Slone, granddaughter, Madison (Slone) Holtz, husband Sam Holtz, their two children, great-grandson, Hank Holtz, and great-grandson Max Holtz, and granddaughter Tommy Lou Slone; daughter, Barbara Jo Lemasters, husband Buddy Lemasters, their two children, granddaughter, Trisha Lemasters, and grandson, Will Lemasters.
Barbara received her bachelor’s degree in education in 1964 and master’s degree in education in 1968 from West Virginia University. For the first 20 years of her career, she was an accomplished educator and administrator with the Monongalia County Board of Education. Barbara was then appointed and worked for several years as West Virginia Deputy Secretary of State under Ken Hechler. Returning to her roots in education, she spent the next 12 years in Sales and Sales Management for D.C. Heath and Co. and Addison Wesley/Scott Foresman textbook publishing companies. Barbara concluded her professional career where she started, back in Monongalia County, serving her community, educators and students as the coordinator of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
In her retirement, Barbara became a true entrepreneur. She was president and one of the founders of Assessments Solutions LLC, a successful consulting group in the educational field. She also co-authored two award winning children’s books with her granddaughter, Lily Hamilton: Lily and Nana and Lily Goes to School.
Barbara was a devoted wife to her loving husband, John. They enjoyed supporting and attending WVU and Fairmont State University athletics, golfing, hosting gatherings for friends and family, attending numerous activities of all of their grandchildren and spending time with them and traveling the world — often with their lifelong friends Carol and Jim Craig. Barbara humbly and adoringly served her heavenly father and, with John, was committed to her church family at Chestnut Ridge Church. Her life was exemplified by one of her favorite Bible verses, Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
Above all else, Barbara loved her family. She worked tirelessly to provide a beautiful life for her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
Barbara was a beautiful woman both on the inside and the outside. She won the Miss Roane County contest in 1960 and went on to place runner-up in the Miss West Virginia Pageant. She was also on the 1962 WVU Homecoming Court. Barbara’s external beauty was only surpassed by her beautiful soul. Her kind and tender heart was one that was known by so many far and wide.
Barbara lived every day to the fullest. She was a champion for those in need and always one to take on a challenge. The word “NO” was not a part of her vocabulary. She worked passionately for organizations such as WV Association on Young Children (past vice president), Christian Help (past president, board member), Health Right, Libera, Habitat for Humanity, Women’s Giving Circle and Child Advocacy Center (past president, board member). She helped raise money, raise awareness and raise the bar. She also participated in many social organizations that she enjoyed with great zest. Barbara’s Thursday Bridge Club was one of her oldest and most beloved groups. She played bridge with the same group of close friends for over 50 years. She was also in the Valley Hills Garden Club (past president), Valley Hills Traveling Golf Team, the Fabulous Women’s Society and the Bruceton Lions Club. She was a beloved and dedicated member of the Beta Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Fraternity. Over the years, she served in many roles in the organization. She held several advisory positions with the chapter, served on the board and as an officer of the House Corporation Board and also served on the Alumni Association.
Barbara was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who was loved, will be missed and always cherished.
Given Barbara’s profound love for life, her family has chosen to honor her wish to hold a Celebration of Life gathering. Family and friends are invited to share in her Celebration of Life at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown, Friday, Feb. 21. Visitation will begin at 2:30 p.m., memorial service at 3 p.m., with Celebration of Life to follow at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center to the address listed below.
Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center,
909 Green Bag Road, Morgantown, WV 26508 or online at http://www.mon
cocac.org/
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
