Mrs. Barbara Bradford Parker, of Foster, W.V., born Jan. 31, 1947, in Hadlock, passed away peacefully at Boone Memorial Hospital in Madison, W.V., with her husband of 47 years, Daniel M. Parker, holding her hand.
She was the daughter of the late Walter Lee Bradford and the late Monnie Custis Bradford, of Hadlock.
Barbara graduated from Northampton High School in 1965 and from Petersburg General Hospital, via William & Mary College, in 1968 with her lifelong friend, Pat Brown Diem. She served for two years as Lt. Bradford in the U.S. Army, stationed out of Fort Lee during the Vietnam War era. Barbara also nursed for the Veterans Administration, Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, Appalachian Regional Hospital in Man, W.V., and for 31 years at Boone Memorial Hospital in Madison.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her niece, Sara Bradford; her brother-in-law, Neil C. Parker; and niece, Madison Parker.
Barbara is survived by her husband and their children, the lights of her life, Steven B. Parker (Arminda), Amanda P. DeFede (Michael), and Christopher D. Parker (Jessica); and by seven grandchildren, Alina and Alex Parker, Mariella, Christiana, and Lily DeFede, and Charlotte and Nolan Parker. She is also survived by her cherished brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Judy Bradford, and her niece, Katie Bradford. Barbara deeply loved her Parker brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Glenn and Pam, Bennie and Vivian, Keith, and “GP” and Deb, plus each and every niece and nephew and their children.
She was married at Hollies Baptist Church, her home church, on June 28, 1975. She was a member of Madison United Methodist Church and lived her life as Christ would have her live it all of her days. Her grandchildren enjoyed singing at a candlelit “Happy Birthday Jesus” cake every Christmas. Barbara was a child of the ocean and left her footprints on many beaches with her husband, but none more so than on the beach of Assateague Island. Her many friends should know how deeply she cared for them, their long phone calls, and how she yearned to continue to say “Good morning.”
Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at 11 a.m., at Handley Funeral Home in Danville, W.V., with Pastor Nathan Epling officiating. Visitation was at 10 a.m. Immediately following the service, there was a dinner for the family at Madison United Methodist Church.
There was a Military Graveside Service on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at 1 p.m.,at Hillcrest Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
