Barbara Gilchrist Obituary

Barbara Jean Lang Gilchrist

Mar 15, 1936 - Dec 15, 2022

Harrisonburg, VA

Barbara Lang Gilchrist, 86, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, passed away Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.

Barbara was born March 15, 1936, in Sandusky, the daughter of the late Norman Carter Lang and Wilma Martha Smith Lang. She was the sister of Robert Norman Lang, also deceased.

She married James Allen Gilchrist on Nov. 23, 1957, and he survives in Harrisonburg.

She is also survived by her children, Suzanne Marie Gilchrist-Thompson of Ashville, North Carolina, and Robert Norman Gilchrist of Colorado Springs, Colorado; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Lang Sudol of Asheville, North Carolina, Anna Schuyler Rossino of Atlanta, Georgia, William James Gilchrist, US Navy, and Jenna Lian Gilchrist of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and three great-grandchildren, Magnolia Grace Rossino and Jon Becker Rossino, both of Atlanta, Georgia, and Owen Bennett Sudol of Ashville, North Carolina.

In late 1967, Barbara, Jim, and family moved to Stratford-upon-Avon, England, where she attended the Stratford-upon-Avon College. She was heavily involved in community activities including the Stratford-Upon-Avon Thespians.

In 1973, she and family moved back to the United States and lived in Tampa, Florida.

In 1980, she and family moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where she partnered with her husband, Jim, in owning and operating seven H&R Block offices in Western, North Carolina, and temporary service company. While in Asheville, she was the first volunteer with the Asheville Police Department. The corps of volunteers subsequently grew to just over 100.

In 1999, she and Jim moved to Harrisonburg where she and Jim managed Central Valley Habitat for Humanity and taught Defensive Driving for the National Safety Council at the Chamber of Commerce. Subsequently, she became heavily involved in volunteer activities in Harrisonburg. She taught Citizenship for Skyline Literacy, read on the radio for WMRA's Valley Voice to the blind and print-impaired, worked at various activities for RMH/Sentara, participated in multiple activities for the Kiwanis Club of Harrisonburg, and for over 10 years, was an election officer.

Her friendly, welcoming, and caring personality will be greatly missed by family, friends, and community.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.

Honoring her wishes, she will be cremated. A private graveside service will be in Sandusky, in the family plot at a later date with an officiating Zion Lutheran Church minister.

Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is handling arrangements and condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com.