FRANKLIN—Barbara Anne Gardner, 79, passed away Jan. 28, 2014, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Born in Suffolk on Feb. 11, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Solomon Wesley and Ruby Whitehead Gardner.

Barbara was retired from Hercules Chemical Co., where she worked for many years in the business office. She was a faithful volunteer and lifelong member of High Street United Methodist Church. She was an avid member of the YMCA, and cherished the companionship of her many friends and family throughout the years.

Barbara will be warmly remembered by her sister, Kathleene Jacocks Simms, and her husband, William, of Chesapeake; a niece, Anne Covington Urbi, and her husband, Joseph; and a great-niece, Claire Covington Urbi of Norfolk; four cousins, Mildred Williams Doughty of Franklin, Marionette Whitehead Spain of Suffolk, Rebecca Williams Davies of Suffolk and William Whitehead of Courtland.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, at Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. John Ashley officiating. Burial will follow in Poplar Spring Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, and suggests memorial donations be made to either the James L. Camp Jr. YMCA, 300 Crescent Dr., Franklin, VA 23851, or the Relay for Life, c/o Jim Jervey, 221 North Dr., Franklin, VA 23851, or a charity of your choice.  www.wrightfuneralhome.org