LeAnne Biggart Barber, class of 1964, passed on her birthday in July. This tribute from her daughter Callie was posted yesterday:
My mother, LeAnne Biggart Barber, grew up in rural Kansas in the town of Circleville. She lived on a farm with her parents, Leland and Leota Biggart, and her older brother, Hal. As a child she spent her days playing in creeks with friends, learning the piano and tending to all of her animals, including her beloved border collie, Nancy, who was always by her side. Although their farm had no electricity when she was young, her early evenings were filled with books and music. She would often sing and play piano with her father. It is from these modest beginnings that my mother developed a love of learning and an incredible work ethic that carried her through her entire life. My mother graduated as valedictorian and went on to attend Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. She lived in the Georgiana Smurthwaite Leadership house, the university's only women's distinguished academic house. While in school her love of education and learning led her to serve as a member of the Student Education Association where she advocated for student educators. She was honored by the College of Education for her outstanding work in education and leadership and became a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for young educators. She earned her B.A., summa cum laude, in May of 1968.
As soon as she began teaching, it was clear her ability to connect with children was one of her greatest gifts. She unceasingly strived to help her students and her love of teaching guided her every act. Along the way, her passion for education, particularly writing, led my mother to write a newspaper column titled "Ask LeAnne". She would give advice to readers on various subjects, something she was very good at. She married my father, Dr. Bill Barber, also an educator, and together they wrote a series of small children's books. She went on to receive her Masters of Education from The University of Mississippi where she deepened her skills even more. Landing in Chapel Hill she continued her legacy where she coached and impacted hundreds of young lives. She served on numerous faculty councils and committees, and mentored many young teachers who looked to her for guidance as their literacy coach. Her well of encouragement to new teachers and her unwavering guidance and support to students and teachers is still felt and talked about today.
Like her parents before her, my mother encouraged her children, school, as well as her own, to strive to be better people. She gave my brother and me endless encouragement and taught us how to advocate for ourselves. She was a great listener and was the first person we all went to for advice. Her two granddaughters thought so too; the three of them would often talk about the world while sewing or working on a creative project together. They always had a project going. Her love of the arts and being resourceful will always be something about her that I admire.
LeAnne was a deeply loved, brilliant woman who always made space at the table for everyone. Her unwavering dedication to her family and friends, her love of cooking and gardening allowed her to live happily for 77 years. We will forever carry on her strength and kindness.
Sunrise July 13, 1946
Sunset July 13, 2023
My mother, LeAnne Biggart Barber, grew up in rural Kansas in the town of Circleville. She lived on a farm with her parents, Leland and Leota Biggart, and her older brother, Hal. As a child she spent her days playing in creeks with friends, learning the piano and tending to all of her animals, including her beloved border collie, Nancy, who was always by her side. Although their farm had no electricity when she was young, her early evenings were filled with books and music. She would often sing and play piano with her father. It is from these modest beginnings that my mother developed a love of learning and an incredible work ethic that carried her through her entire life. My mother graduated as valedictorian and went on to attend Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. She lived in the Georgiana Smurthwaite Leadership house, the university's only women's distinguished academic house. While in school her love of education and learning led her to serve as a member of the Student Education Association where she advocated for student educators. She was honored by the College of Education for her outstanding work in education and leadership and became a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for young educators. She earned her B.A., summa cum laude, in May of 1968.
As soon as she began teaching, it was clear her ability to connect with children was one of her greatest gifts. She unceasingly strived to help her students and her love of teaching guided her every act. Along the way, her passion for education, particularly writing, led my mother to write a newspaper column titled "Ask LeAnne". She would give advice to readers on various subjects, something she was very good at. She married my father, Dr. Bill Barber, also an educator, and together they wrote a series of small children's books. She went on to receive her Masters of Education from The University of Mississippi where she deepened her skills even more. Landing in Chapel Hill she continued her legacy where she coached and impacted hundreds of young lives. She served on numerous faculty councils and committees, and mentored many young teachers who looked to her for guidance as their literacy coach. Her well of encouragement to new teachers and her unwavering guidance and support to students and teachers is still felt and talked about today.
Like her parents before her, my mother encouraged her children, school, as well as her own, to strive to be better people. She gave my brother and me endless encouragement and taught us how to advocate for ourselves. She was a great listener and was the first person we all went to for advice. Her two granddaughters thought so too; the three of them would often talk about the world while sewing or working on a creative project together. They always had a project going. Her love of the arts and being resourceful will always be something about her that I admire.
LeAnne was a deeply loved, brilliant woman who always made space at the table for everyone. Her unwavering dedication to her family and friends, her love of cooking and gardening allowed her to live happily for 77 years. We will forever carry on her strength and kindness.
Sunrise July 13, 1946
Sunset July 13, 2023
LeAnne Biggart Barber, class of 1964, passed on her birthday in July. This tribute from her daughter Callie was posted yesterday:
My mother, LeAnne Biggart Barber, grew up in rural Kansas in the town of Circleville. She lived on a farm with her parents, Leland and Leota Biggart, and her older brother, Hal. As a child she spent her days playing in creeks with friends, learning the piano and tending to all of her animals, including her beloved border collie, Nancy, who was always by her side. Although their farm had no electricity when she was young, her early evenings were filled with books and music. She would often sing and play piano with her father. It is from these modest beginnings that my mother developed a love of learning and an incredible work ethic that carried her through her entire life. My mother graduated as valedictorian and went on to attend Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. She lived in the Georgiana Smurthwaite Leadership house, the university's only women's distinguished academic house. While in school her love of education and learning led her to serve as a member of the Student Education Association where she advocated for student educators. She was honored by the College of Education for her outstanding work in education and leadership and became a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for young educators. She earned her B.A., summa cum laude, in May of 1968.
As soon as she began teaching, it was clear her ability to connect with children was one of her greatest gifts. She unceasingly strived to help her students and her love of teaching guided her every act. Along the way, her passion for education, particularly writing, led my mother to write a newspaper column titled "Ask LeAnne". She would give advice to readers on various subjects, something she was very good at. She married my father, Dr. Bill Barber, also an educator, and together they wrote a series of small children's books. She went on to receive her Masters of Education from The University of Mississippi where she deepened her skills even more. Landing in Chapel Hill she continued her legacy where she coached and impacted hundreds of young lives. She served on numerous faculty councils and committees, and mentored many young teachers who looked to her for guidance as their literacy coach. Her well of encouragement to new teachers and her unwavering guidance and support to students and teachers is still felt and talked about today.
Like her parents before her, my mother encouraged her children, school, as well as her own, to strive to be better people. She gave my brother and me endless encouragement and taught us how to advocate for ourselves. She was a great listener and was the first person we all went to for advice. Her two granddaughters thought so too; the three of them would often talk about the world while sewing or working on a creative project together. They always had a project going. Her love of the arts and being resourceful will always be something about her that I admire.
LeAnne was a deeply loved, brilliant woman who always made space at the table for everyone. Her unwavering dedication to her family and friends, her love of cooking and gardening allowed her to live happily for 77 years. We will forever carry on her strength and kindness.
Sunrise July 13, 1946
Sunset July 13, 2023
My mother, LeAnne Biggart Barber, grew up in rural Kansas in the town of Circleville. She lived on a farm with her parents, Leland and Leota Biggart, and her older brother, Hal. As a child she spent her days playing in creeks with friends, learning the piano and tending to all of her animals, including her beloved border collie, Nancy, who was always by her side. Although their farm had no electricity when she was young, her early evenings were filled with books and music. She would often sing and play piano with her father. It is from these modest beginnings that my mother developed a love of learning and an incredible work ethic that carried her through her entire life. My mother graduated as valedictorian and went on to attend Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. She lived in the Georgiana Smurthwaite Leadership house, the university's only women's distinguished academic house. While in school her love of education and learning led her to serve as a member of the Student Education Association where she advocated for student educators. She was honored by the College of Education for her outstanding work in education and leadership and became a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for young educators. She earned her B.A., summa cum laude, in May of 1968.
As soon as she began teaching, it was clear her ability to connect with children was one of her greatest gifts. She unceasingly strived to help her students and her love of teaching guided her every act. Along the way, her passion for education, particularly writing, led my mother to write a newspaper column titled "Ask LeAnne". She would give advice to readers on various subjects, something she was very good at. She married my father, Dr. Bill Barber, also an educator, and together they wrote a series of small children's books. She went on to receive her Masters of Education from The University of Mississippi where she deepened her skills even more. Landing in Chapel Hill she continued her legacy where she coached and impacted hundreds of young lives. She served on numerous faculty councils and committees, and mentored many young teachers who looked to her for guidance as their literacy coach. Her well of encouragement to new teachers and her unwavering guidance and support to students and teachers is still felt and talked about today.
Like her parents before her, my mother encouraged her children, school, as well as her own, to strive to be better people. She gave my brother and me endless encouragement and taught us how to advocate for ourselves. She was a great listener and was the first person we all went to for advice. Her two granddaughters thought so too; the three of them would often talk about the world while sewing or working on a creative project together. They always had a project going. Her love of the arts and being resourceful will always be something about her that I admire.
LeAnne was a deeply loved, brilliant woman who always made space at the table for everyone. Her unwavering dedication to her family and friends, her love of cooking and gardening allowed her to live happily for 77 years. We will forever carry on her strength and kindness.
Sunrise July 13, 1946
Sunset July 13, 2023
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