Laura Vivian Sumpter Barnhart
Sunday, September 7, 1924 - Tuesday, April 20, 2021
On Tuesday April 20, 2021 Laura Vivian Barnhart, loving wife and Mother of three daughters, passed away at age 96.
Laura was born on September 7, 1924, in Floyd County to Frank Clyde Sumpter and Nora Della Akers Sumpter. She had four brothers and three sisters - Delmas Sumpter, Bonnie Vaught, Sam Sumpter, Daisy Mae Minton, Wise Sumpter, Virginia Hutchins, and Frank Carl Sumpter, all deceased.
Laura graduated from Pearisburg High school where she was a shy student plus an amazing majorette. Her daughters were always enchanted to see Mama twirl that baton, throw it so high, and actually catch it.
Raised a country girl, she bravely went to secretarial school in the big city of Roanoke, VA and continued on to work at the Pentagon in Washington, DC during World War II. She met and married a soldier, Charles William Raley. They had three daughters, Vivian Lee Whorley, Janice Virginia Ayres, Nora Ella Sarver.
She spent the years her children were growing up in Lynchburg, VA & Brookneal, VA as an attentive stay at home mother, active in the Methodist church, Girl Scouts, and every aspect of any interest of her children. She was an exceptional Mother who believed in good home training, education and good manners for her girls. Her devotion to family was phenomenal and included allowing her kids every pet, hobby and enthusiasm that crossed their imagination, even though some of them (like cats and chameleons) terrified her.
The second half of Laura's life was spent in Roanoke, VA. She started working for the Girl Scout office when her kids were almost grown. She went on to work as office administrator & medical assistant to Dr. Olin R. Melchionna for over 20 years where she met Edsel Ward (Barney) Barnhart. They fell deeply in love and married on August 4, 1973 and were happily married until his death on April 22, 2010. With this marriage, she gained a new daughter, Ruth Frye deceased (husband Wesley Frye, deceased) and a much loved granddaughter, Pam Frye Allison (husband Jake Allison).
Laura has spent the years since Barney died still interested in and working to take care of her girls and their families. Her devotion to family was her towering strength and crowning glory. Nothing was too great an obstacle to surmount when it came to caring about her family. Her life has defined a "Mother's Devotion".
Laura is survived by her daughters, Vivian Lee Whorley, Janice Virginia Ayres, (husband, Warren "Spec" Ayres, deceased) and Nora Ella Sarver (husband, Larry B. Sarver). Grandchildren are Laura Vivian Clemmons Williams, (deceased), Cinnamon Clemmons Buelk, (husband John Buelk), Graham Marshall Whorley, Jason Quinn Sarver, Matthew Ward Sarver (wife, Jessica Byrd Sarver), Sarah Christina Sarver (husband Stephen Smith, Jr.). Her Great grandchildren are Isaac Williams, Maxwell Buelk, Amara Buelk, Raven Lee Whorley, Taylor Hayes Kizer, Damein Axel Sarver, Archer Maximus Sarver, Roman Arlo Sarver, Juliet Evelyn Sarver, Isaac Ward Sarver, Harleigh Madison Smith, Mariella Jane Smith, Isabella Maria Smith, and Jessie Emma Smith, and numerous loved nieces and nephews.
Laura has wanted to be with her beloved Barney for a long time. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. We are rejoicing to think of her in Heaven with God, and Barney by her side.
A private graveside service for immediate family was held on April 24, 2021 at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. The service was led by Reverend Jeff Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her church, Huntington Court United Methodist Church at 3333 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24012. She loved this church and spent many happy hours with her church family.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held for family and friends in September, close to Laura's birthday. Hopefully, some of the Covid-19 restrictions will be removed/relaxed by September. More information will be forthcoming as the plans develop for the memorial service.
Thank you to Huntington Court United Methodist Church for their visits, cards, and prayers. Thank you to the excellent caregivers from Visiting Angels and Amedisys Hospice Care. A special thank you to so many who, wished her well, prayed for her, and helped her during her illness.
Oakey's Roanoke Chapel
318 Church Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24016
Local: 540-982-2100
Toll Free: 800-638-0710
Email: [email protected]
Sunday, September 7, 1924 - Tuesday, April 20, 2021
On Tuesday April 20, 2021 Laura Vivian Barnhart, loving wife and Mother of three daughters, passed away at age 96.
Laura was born on September 7, 1924, in Floyd County to Frank Clyde Sumpter and Nora Della Akers Sumpter. She had four brothers and three sisters - Delmas Sumpter, Bonnie Vaught, Sam Sumpter, Daisy Mae Minton, Wise Sumpter, Virginia Hutchins, and Frank Carl Sumpter, all deceased.
Laura graduated from Pearisburg High school where she was a shy student plus an amazing majorette. Her daughters were always enchanted to see Mama twirl that baton, throw it so high, and actually catch it.
Raised a country girl, she bravely went to secretarial school in the big city of Roanoke, VA and continued on to work at the Pentagon in Washington, DC during World War II. She met and married a soldier, Charles William Raley. They had three daughters, Vivian Lee Whorley, Janice Virginia Ayres, Nora Ella Sarver.
She spent the years her children were growing up in Lynchburg, VA & Brookneal, VA as an attentive stay at home mother, active in the Methodist church, Girl Scouts, and every aspect of any interest of her children. She was an exceptional Mother who believed in good home training, education and good manners for her girls. Her devotion to family was phenomenal and included allowing her kids every pet, hobby and enthusiasm that crossed their imagination, even though some of them (like cats and chameleons) terrified her.
The second half of Laura's life was spent in Roanoke, VA. She started working for the Girl Scout office when her kids were almost grown. She went on to work as office administrator & medical assistant to Dr. Olin R. Melchionna for over 20 years where she met Edsel Ward (Barney) Barnhart. They fell deeply in love and married on August 4, 1973 and were happily married until his death on April 22, 2010. With this marriage, she gained a new daughter, Ruth Frye deceased (husband Wesley Frye, deceased) and a much loved granddaughter, Pam Frye Allison (husband Jake Allison).
Laura has spent the years since Barney died still interested in and working to take care of her girls and their families. Her devotion to family was her towering strength and crowning glory. Nothing was too great an obstacle to surmount when it came to caring about her family. Her life has defined a "Mother's Devotion".
Laura is survived by her daughters, Vivian Lee Whorley, Janice Virginia Ayres, (husband, Warren "Spec" Ayres, deceased) and Nora Ella Sarver (husband, Larry B. Sarver). Grandchildren are Laura Vivian Clemmons Williams, (deceased), Cinnamon Clemmons Buelk, (husband John Buelk), Graham Marshall Whorley, Jason Quinn Sarver, Matthew Ward Sarver (wife, Jessica Byrd Sarver), Sarah Christina Sarver (husband Stephen Smith, Jr.). Her Great grandchildren are Isaac Williams, Maxwell Buelk, Amara Buelk, Raven Lee Whorley, Taylor Hayes Kizer, Damein Axel Sarver, Archer Maximus Sarver, Roman Arlo Sarver, Juliet Evelyn Sarver, Isaac Ward Sarver, Harleigh Madison Smith, Mariella Jane Smith, Isabella Maria Smith, and Jessie Emma Smith, and numerous loved nieces and nephews.
Laura has wanted to be with her beloved Barney for a long time. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. We are rejoicing to think of her in Heaven with God, and Barney by her side.
A private graveside service for immediate family was held on April 24, 2021 at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. The service was led by Reverend Jeff Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her church, Huntington Court United Methodist Church at 3333 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24012. She loved this church and spent many happy hours with her church family.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held for family and friends in September, close to Laura's birthday. Hopefully, some of the Covid-19 restrictions will be removed/relaxed by September. More information will be forthcoming as the plans develop for the memorial service.
Thank you to Huntington Court United Methodist Church for their visits, cards, and prayers. Thank you to the excellent caregivers from Visiting Angels and Amedisys Hospice Care. A special thank you to so many who, wished her well, prayed for her, and helped her during her illness.
Oakey's Roanoke Chapel
318 Church Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24016
Local: 540-982-2100
Toll Free: 800-638-0710
Email: [email protected]
Laura Vivian Sumpter Barnhart
Sunday, September 7, 1924 - Tuesday, April 20, 2021
On Tuesday April 20, 2021 Laura Vivian Barnhart, loving wife and Mother of three daughters, passed away at age 96.
Laura was born on September 7, 1924, in Floyd County to Frank Clyde Sumpter and Nora Della Akers Sumpter. She had four brothers and three sisters - Delmas Sumpter, Bonnie Vaught, Sam Sumpter, Daisy Mae Minton, Wise Sumpter, Virginia Hutchins, and Frank Carl Sumpter, all deceased.
Laura graduated from Pearisburg High school where she was a shy student plus an amazing majorette. Her daughters were always enchanted to see Mama twirl that baton, throw it so high, and actually catch it.
Raised a country girl, she bravely went to secretarial school in the big city of Roanoke, VA and continued on to work at the Pentagon in Washington, DC during World War II. She met and married a soldier, Charles William Raley. They had three daughters, Vivian Lee Whorley, Janice Virginia Ayres, Nora Ella Sarver.
She spent the years her children were growing up in Lynchburg, VA & Brookneal, VA as an attentive stay at home mother, active in the Methodist church, Girl Scouts, and every aspect of any interest of her children. She was an exceptional Mother who believed in good home training, education and good manners for her girls. Her devotion to family was phenomenal and included allowing her kids every pet, hobby and enthusiasm that crossed their imagination, even though some of them (like cats and chameleons) terrified her.
The second half of Laura's life was spent in Roanoke, VA. She started working for the Girl Scout office when her kids were almost grown. She went on to work as office administrator & medical assistant to Dr. Olin R. Melchionna for over 20 years where she met Edsel Ward (Barney) Barnhart. They fell deeply in love and married on August 4, 1973 and were happily married until his death on April 22, 2010. With this marriage, she gained a new daughter, Ruth Frye deceased (husband Wesley Frye, deceased) and a much loved granddaughter, Pam Frye Allison (husband Jake Allison).
Laura has spent the years since Barney died still interested in and working to take care of her girls and their families. Her devotion to family was her towering strength and crowning glory. Nothing was too great an obstacle to surmount when it came to caring about her family. Her life has defined a "Mother's Devotion".
Laura is survived by her daughters, Vivian Lee Whorley, Janice Virginia Ayres, (husband, Warren "Spec" Ayres, deceased) and Nora Ella Sarver (husband, Larry B. Sarver). Grandchildren are Laura Vivian Clemmons Williams, (deceased), Cinnamon Clemmons Buelk, (husband John Buelk), Graham Marshall Whorley, Jason Quinn Sarver, Matthew Ward Sarver (wife, Jessica Byrd Sarver), Sarah Christina Sarver (husband Stephen Smith, Jr.). Her Great grandchildren are Isaac Williams, Maxwell Buelk, Amara Buelk, Raven Lee Whorley, Taylor Hayes Kizer, Damein Axel Sarver, Archer Maximus Sarver, Roman Arlo Sarver, Juliet Evelyn Sarver, Isaac Ward Sarver, Harleigh Madison Smith, Mariella Jane Smith, Isabella Maria Smith, and Jessie Emma Smith, and numerous loved nieces and nephews.
Laura has wanted to be with her beloved Barney for a long time. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. We are rejoicing to think of her in Heaven with God, and Barney by her side.
A private graveside service for immediate family was held on April 24, 2021 at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. The service was led by Reverend Jeff Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her church, Huntington Court United Methodist Church at 3333 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24012. She loved this church and spent many happy hours with her church family.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held for family and friends in September, close to Laura's birthday. Hopefully, some of the Covid-19 restrictions will be removed/relaxed by September. More information will be forthcoming as the plans develop for the memorial service.
Thank you to Huntington Court United Methodist Church for their visits, cards, and prayers. Thank you to the excellent caregivers from Visiting Angels and Amedisys Hospice Care. A special thank you to so many who, wished her well, prayed for her, and helped her during her illness.
Oakey's Roanoke Chapel
318 Church Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24016
Local: 540-982-2100
Toll Free: 800-638-0710
Email: [email protected]
Sunday, September 7, 1924 - Tuesday, April 20, 2021
On Tuesday April 20, 2021 Laura Vivian Barnhart, loving wife and Mother of three daughters, passed away at age 96.
Laura was born on September 7, 1924, in Floyd County to Frank Clyde Sumpter and Nora Della Akers Sumpter. She had four brothers and three sisters - Delmas Sumpter, Bonnie Vaught, Sam Sumpter, Daisy Mae Minton, Wise Sumpter, Virginia Hutchins, and Frank Carl Sumpter, all deceased.
Laura graduated from Pearisburg High school where she was a shy student plus an amazing majorette. Her daughters were always enchanted to see Mama twirl that baton, throw it so high, and actually catch it.
Raised a country girl, she bravely went to secretarial school in the big city of Roanoke, VA and continued on to work at the Pentagon in Washington, DC during World War II. She met and married a soldier, Charles William Raley. They had three daughters, Vivian Lee Whorley, Janice Virginia Ayres, Nora Ella Sarver.
She spent the years her children were growing up in Lynchburg, VA & Brookneal, VA as an attentive stay at home mother, active in the Methodist church, Girl Scouts, and every aspect of any interest of her children. She was an exceptional Mother who believed in good home training, education and good manners for her girls. Her devotion to family was phenomenal and included allowing her kids every pet, hobby and enthusiasm that crossed their imagination, even though some of them (like cats and chameleons) terrified her.
The second half of Laura's life was spent in Roanoke, VA. She started working for the Girl Scout office when her kids were almost grown. She went on to work as office administrator & medical assistant to Dr. Olin R. Melchionna for over 20 years where she met Edsel Ward (Barney) Barnhart. They fell deeply in love and married on August 4, 1973 and were happily married until his death on April 22, 2010. With this marriage, she gained a new daughter, Ruth Frye deceased (husband Wesley Frye, deceased) and a much loved granddaughter, Pam Frye Allison (husband Jake Allison).
Laura has spent the years since Barney died still interested in and working to take care of her girls and their families. Her devotion to family was her towering strength and crowning glory. Nothing was too great an obstacle to surmount when it came to caring about her family. Her life has defined a "Mother's Devotion".
Laura is survived by her daughters, Vivian Lee Whorley, Janice Virginia Ayres, (husband, Warren "Spec" Ayres, deceased) and Nora Ella Sarver (husband, Larry B. Sarver). Grandchildren are Laura Vivian Clemmons Williams, (deceased), Cinnamon Clemmons Buelk, (husband John Buelk), Graham Marshall Whorley, Jason Quinn Sarver, Matthew Ward Sarver (wife, Jessica Byrd Sarver), Sarah Christina Sarver (husband Stephen Smith, Jr.). Her Great grandchildren are Isaac Williams, Maxwell Buelk, Amara Buelk, Raven Lee Whorley, Taylor Hayes Kizer, Damein Axel Sarver, Archer Maximus Sarver, Roman Arlo Sarver, Juliet Evelyn Sarver, Isaac Ward Sarver, Harleigh Madison Smith, Mariella Jane Smith, Isabella Maria Smith, and Jessie Emma Smith, and numerous loved nieces and nephews.
Laura has wanted to be with her beloved Barney for a long time. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. We are rejoicing to think of her in Heaven with God, and Barney by her side.
A private graveside service for immediate family was held on April 24, 2021 at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. The service was led by Reverend Jeff Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her church, Huntington Court United Methodist Church at 3333 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24012. She loved this church and spent many happy hours with her church family.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held for family and friends in September, close to Laura's birthday. Hopefully, some of the Covid-19 restrictions will be removed/relaxed by September. More information will be forthcoming as the plans develop for the memorial service.
Thank you to Huntington Court United Methodist Church for their visits, cards, and prayers. Thank you to the excellent caregivers from Visiting Angels and Amedisys Hospice Care. A special thank you to so many who, wished her well, prayed for her, and helped her during her illness.
Oakey's Roanoke Chapel
318 Church Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24016
Local: 540-982-2100
Toll Free: 800-638-0710
Email: [email protected]
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