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Barbara Ann (Gainer) Whetsell passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 28, 2024, surrounded by family, following a brief illness. She was 86.
Barbara was born in Valley Bend, West Virginia, on Sept. 20, 1937, to Kenneth C. Gainer and Elva P. Gainer, who both preceded her in death.
She spent her formative years living on the Tygart Valley Homestead, temporarily residing in Paden City, West Virginia, but lived much of her childhood in Montrose, West Virginia, on the family farm following the Great Depression.
She was preceded her in death by three brothers, William J. Gainer, Harold K. Gainer and Charles G. Gainer; and is survived by her brother, Edward Doyle Gainer, who resides in Ohio; and her sister-in-law, Anna Mae Gainer, resident of Elkins.
Barbara was a 1956 graduate of Elkins High School and was active in alumni functions and reunions.
In 1956, Barbara married Franklin E. Whetsell (of Elkins), who preceded her in death in 1992.
Barbara is survived by her five children and spouses, Franklin E. Whetsell Jr. (Alison Keane) of Arnold, Maryland, Richard A Whetsell (Cindy) of Belington, West Virginia, David E Whetsell (Susan Potenzano) of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, Robert C. Whetsell (Carol) of Elkins, West Virginia, and Elizabeth A Earle of Harman, West Virginia.
Barbara devoted herself to motherhood. Leading by example, she instilled the values of patience, kindness, fairness, and hard work in her children. She taught her children right from wrong, how to think for themselves, and to treat others the way they wanted to be treated. As a faithful member of the Woodford Memorial Church, she was an active participant in church activities. She also served as a den mother for her sons' cub scout troop in the 1960s.
Prior to marriage, Barbara worked at C&P Telephone in Elkins, as a switchboard operator. In 1977, she returned to the workforce, embarking on a 23-year career at Davis & Elkins College in the Service Center. As a valued member of the staff, Barbara created long-lasting friendships with the teachers, professors, and staff at the college, as well as many students who considered her to be their "mother away from home."
For decades, Saturday nights were always special in the Whetsell household. After all, it was pizza night. Barbara's pizza was legendary. The tradition started back in the early 1960s when the family lived in Crystal Springs, West Virginia, and has continued ever since. Although she did not invent pepperoni rolls, she may have perfected them. Her home was the gathering place for friends and family almost every weekend. The more, the merrier.
Saturday night pizza parties were a crucial part of our family tradition, which we all continue in our own ways.
Although a life-long native of Randolph County, Barbara loved to travel. In her lifetime, she made several cross-county trips to California and the American Southwest, visiting the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Zion, and Sedona, and spent many relaxing days with her family at the shore in Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Holden Beach, and Rehoboth Beach, as well as family camping trips in Cacapon State Park. Two major world excursions included a trip to Ireland, as well as a ride on the Canadian National Railroad west across the continent to Vancouver with fellow traveler, Judith Keane.
Barbara loved listening to her music, especially Elvis, Jimmy Buffett, Tom Jones and Hank Williams, just to name a few. She became an official Parrot Head when she attended her first Jimmy Buffett concert when she was 60 years old. In her final days she was comforted by the sounds of these musicians and many more.
She dreamed about going to "Margaritaville," and was even seen tapping her toes as she imagined dancing to Hank Williams' "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," which was her Daddy's favorite.
Above all else, Barbara was a talented artist who enjoyed creating dozens beautiful quilts with her friends and family members.
With loving care, she dedicated several years creating custom quilts for each of her 10 grandchildren, Nicole A. Walsh, Daniel R. Whetsell, Matthew D. Whetsell, Grace C. Whetsell, Benjamin F. Whetsell, Kenneth C. Whetsell, Lily V. Whetsell, Jacob T. Earle, Nathaniel A. Whetsell and Izaak D. Whetsell, as well as her two great-grandchildren, Stephanie L. Walsh and Penelope O. Whetsell.
Her custom-handmade quilts are now cherished family heirlooms, designed to provide warmth, comfort and style, and will remain a tangible symbol of her eternal love for each of them.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to the Randolph County Humane Society, as she loved her cats, especially her beloved Peaches, who survives her.
Arrangements for a Celebration of Life for Barbara are forthcoming and will be announced soon.
he Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Barbara Ann Gainer Whetsell.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.