Barbara Lanthorne

Barbara Ann Shepherd Lanthorne, 81, of Valley View, WV passed from her earthly life to her heavenly life on February 16, 2019, surrounded by her loving family at Logan Regional Medical Center. Barbara was born in Omar, WV, on February 26, 1937, the daughter of the late Wildy and Catherine Adkins Shepherd and was born again on February 8, 1959. She is survived by her twin daughters, Cathy (Cliff) Duncan of Crawley Creek, Cynthia (Ray) Horsman of Danville, and son, Glenn of Valley View all of whom adored her and she them. She was the precious grandmother of Heather (Jon) Clymer of Voorhees Township, N.J., Danny (Kayla) Maynard of Turtle Creek, Ricky Wells, II of Blaine, KY, Valerie (Lyle) McCarthy of Barker’s Fork, and Jeremy (Kassandra) Wells of Appleton, WI. The last generation to adore her were Brooke Belcher of Huntington, Grace Belcher of Morgantown, Macy Belcher of Chapmanville, Jerzee Maynard of Chapmanville, Peyton Maynard, Lukas Maynard & Bo Maynard of Turtle Creek, Isabella Rodighiero, Aaden Rodighiero, and Adrick Rodighiero of Barker’s Fork, and lastly Alanna Wells and Grayson Wells of Appleton, WI. Barbara is also survived by her brother, Lee (Butch) Browning and his wife, Terri of Bayport, NY with whom she had a very close relationship and Sue Shepherd of Austin, TX; sister-in-law, Brenda Browning of Edgewater, FL; several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, David Lanthorne, her brothers, William (Bill) Shepherd and Robert (Tony) Browning, and her sisters, Jackie Knovick and Thelma Shepherd. Barbara was best known as a devoted mother, a loving grandmother, and a person of unwavering commitment and faith. Whatever activities her children were involved in, she was involved in as well. She was the leader of her daughters’ girl scout troops: McConnnell Brownie Troop #220 and Junior Troop #225. She was actively involved as a member of the PTA at McConnell Grade School and helped with the youth activities at church making candy and Christmas caroling among other things. She was an excellent cook (especially her delicious tacos) and will be remembered as a woman of great patience as her house became the gathering point for most of McConnell for her children’s friends. She loved helping her children with their homework going as far as to make an active volcano and a realistic dinosaur with Glenn. She made all her children’s Halloween costumes as well as those for her husband and herself, many winning contests. Barbara was a very accomplished seamstress, a skill she learned in high school home economics class. She took in sewing for people in her young adult years but later only sewed for her family and, at times, church plays. She sewed all her own clothes, her daughters’ clothes from formal dresses to hooded coats with fur trim. She even designed and sewed her daughter, Cynthia’s, wedding gown and all of Cynthia’s bridesmaids’ gowns and family’s wedding clothes. She even made her daughters’ Barbie doll clothes. Barbara was blessed with five grandchildren which tickled her to death! She loved all of them and showed that love by making clothes for them, taking them on walks and to the park, playing in the floor with them, and baking cookies with them as well. She helped to teach them to drive by letting them practice on dirt roads. She remained active in her great-grandchildren’s lives by participating in many of those same activities. Barbara was the oldest continuous member of the Central United Baptist Church on the Holden Road and fiercely believed in God and His grace, mercy, and love! She held every office a woman could hold including Sunday School Treasurer and Ladies Auxiliary President, sung in the choir, and was actively involved in church activities until her death. Her church family was such a blessing to her and she loved them all. Besides sewing, she took delight in cross-stitch, knitting, flower gardening, and taking walks. Barbara worked at various offices in Logan County with a career in bookkeeping and clerical work which she enjoyed as was evidenced by her forty-odd years of employment at Ferrell Excavating in Pecks Mill, where she worked until her death. Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 19, at the Central United Baptist Church with the Rev. Randy Skeens officiating and Bro. Larry Brammer speaking as well. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pecks Mill. Friends may call from 6-9 p.m. Monday, February 18, at the church and one hour prior to services. Pallbearers will be grandsons Danny Maynard, Ricky Wells, Lyle McCarthy, Jon Clymer, nephew Lee Browning, and close friends Gene Bevins and Larry Bevins. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central United Baptist Church. Online condolences may be left at www.jamesfh.com Akers-James Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.