Barbara A. Vandiver 92, of Paris, Kentucky passed away Monday, January 1, 2024 at the Willows at Hamburg in Lexington. Barbara Ann Reynolds was born September 16, 1931 in Owensboro, Kentucky to the late Leroy and Martha Alice Crawford Reynolds. Barbara’s life was marked by her unwavering devotion to her family, her love for the arts and nature, and her steadfast faith.
Barbara spent her formative years growing up on the banks of the Green River in McLean County, where she developed an enduring appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. This love of nature translated into her hobbies as she immersed herself in gardening, painting, needlework, and creating countless cherished paintings for her loved ones and her home.
In the spring of 1951, Barbara’s life was forever changed when she married the love of her life, Lewis Eugene Vandiver, on May 2nd. Together, they built a life founded on love, mutual respect, and shared values. Their union was blessed with decades of happiness and was only parted by Lewis’s death on February 14, 2014, after 62 years of marriage.
Barbara’s role as a homemaker was one she held with honor and grace, ensuring a warm and welcoming environment for all who entered her home. She was a dedicated member of Paris Central Baptist Church, where she found solace and strength in her faith. Her involvement in the church provided her with a community of friends and a platform for service, both of which she valued greatly.
Throughout her 92 years, Barbara touched the lives of many with her kindness, her creative spirit, and her nurturing demeanor. Her children and their families knew her as a pillar of strength, a source of wisdom, and the heart of their family. Her friends and fellow church members saw her as a beacon of light, always ready to lend a hand or offer a word of encouragement.
In addition to her parents and husband, Barbara was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Heather Vandiver; by a brother, Jack William Reynolds; and by a sister, Patricia Lou Baize.
Barbara is survived by a son, Jeffrey Lewis Vandiver (Nancy) of Newburgh, Indiana; a daughter, Susan Ann Linville (Gary) of Lexington; five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Linda McNulty of Florida; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 5, 2024 at Muster Funeral Homes, Calhoun Chapel. Burial will be in the Calhoun Cemetery in McLean County. Friends may visit with Barbara’s family from 12:00 P.M. (noon) until 2:00 P.M. Friday at Musters in Calhoun.
Barbara’s services will be streamed live on musterfuneralhomes.com at 2:00 P.M. Friday.
Share your memories and photos of Barbara at musterfuneralhomes.com.