One of the sweetest, kindest and gentlest souls the world has ever known passed from this life on September 16, 2026. Barbara Lois Taliaferro Barnhart was born January 21, 1934, to Robert and Lois (Howard) Taliaferro. She was the first of four children, followed by her sister Patricia Weaver of Stockbridge, Georgia; James Taliaferro (deceased); and Linda Boone of Christiansburg, Virginia.
Barbara graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1952 and lived most of her life in Salem. After working briefly for the FBI during the J. Edgar Hoover days, she returned to Salem and married the love of her life, Arthur D. Barnhart, who to this day maintains that he’s the luckiest man alive. Barbara and Arthur settled in Salem, Virginia, and gave birth to three children: Steven, Randall and Marianne, all of whom currently reside in Georgia.
Barbara worked for the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors for several years until she went to work for General Electric, where she worked until she retired. But it was her deep involvement in the community and her passionate faith that cemented her legacy in the hearts and minds of those close to her.
During her life, Barbara was an active and faithful member of the Salem Church of Christ, serving as a co-teacher of the Ladies Sunday School class and member of the Ladies’ Seekers’ Circle, as well as organizing the church decorations alongside her aunt, Regina Stamper. A gifted musician and singer, Barbara donated her talents to the church as a member of the Adult Choir, director of the Junior Choir, and service pianist for many years until she took over as organist.
Outside of church activities, Barbara was a den mother for her son’s cub scout pack and, along with her husband Arthur, was a familiar face at all their children’s sports activities and extracurriculars from little league all the way through high school. Both she and Arthur continued attending Andrew Lewis High School’s football games for many years after their children’s graduation, remaining staunch supporters of her alma mater.
According to her ten grandchildren, she was among the best of grandmothers! Known affectionately as “Granny,” all the children looked forward to spending time at her house.
Throwing “dress up” tea parties, cooking favorite desserts with the grands, creating “art projects”, playing ball in the back yard, teaching piano tunes (or at least attempting to), helping Granddaddy to create their own “water slides” beside the house, playing silly games, taking “bus adventures” and just loving them “to within an inch of their lives,” she set a high standard for putting her love into action. For the birth of each grandchild, she and Arthur took 2 weeks of their time and vacation to come stay and help out with the new addition to the family, tirelessly cleaning, cooking and finding fun things for the older grandkids to do. Barbara and Arthur made countless trips to GA to visit the children and grandchildren and vacationed with the families to places such as San Francisco, New York City, Fall Creek Falls, Tenn., Hunting Island, S.C., Williamsburg, Va. and more.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 71 years, Arthur; three children and their spouses, Steve Barnhart and wife, Lisa of Atlanta, Ga., Randy Barnhart and wife, Wendy, of Carrollton, Ga., and Marianne Lecesne and husband John Duke of Atlanta, Ga. She leaves behind a legacy of love and fond memories for her 10 and one great-granddaughter, Isabelle Barnhart. She also leaves behind a slew of well-loved cousins, cousins-in-law, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, James E. Taliaferro; brother-in-law, Kenneth Weaver; son-in-law, Darius Lecesne; and her niece, Jody Boone.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Church of Christ, 401 W. Main Street, Salem. The family will welcome friends for a time of visitation one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment immediately following in Sherwood Memorial Park.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
