Wilda Barney

She was born on June 11, 1927, in Berkeley County, West Virginia, the first-born daughter to Audra Mae (Shade) and Norman Ralph Lewis. She was the granddaughter of Anna Rose (Pitzer) and Eli R. Lewis, and Elijah and Emma Shade. Her grandparents provided her with the special love and guidance that followed her throughout her life. Wilda was a teen bride, marrying Robert Kearfoot, who unfortunately passed away following a car accident at age 19.

Wilda had a strong work ethic and she worked at a local mill, the local VA Hospital, City Hospital, and local grocery stores. She also owned and operated a sandwich and pizza shop in Hedgesville, an antique shop in Martinsburg in an old barn on her property, and she and her second husband, David Barney, developed, owned, and operated a local mobile home community.

Wilda was a member of Westview Baptist Church and Tomahawk Ruritan Club. She enjoyed cooking, knitting, gardening, remodeling of houses, singing with her sisters and keeping everyone on their toes. She was a grand champion at the game of Rummikub where her husband declared that she had to be cheating all the time! She loved babies and had a special relationship with her two youngest great grandbabies who brought a special glimmer to her eyes in these past few years.

She was preceded in death by her second husband, David S. Barney Jr. They married in 1948 and their son, Kenneth Craig Barney was born in 1949 and their daughter, Cheryl Ann Barney Brelsford was born in 1955. Wilda was a formidable force in keeping her children “in line and on a straight path” instilling her strong work ethic, a no-nonsense approach to life and random times of silly humor.

Wilda loved her two sisters and enjoyed spending time with them. Her sisters Jeanne Lewis White and her husband Norman, and her sister Dianne Lewis Sparlin and husband Parker, live in Texas and Wilda enjoyed driving to see them and spending time visiting with them in their homes. When the sisters were together there was much laughter and tears as they shared their lives and history, the joys and the sorrows. Wilda has three nephews, Rick, Scott, and Patrick White, sons of Jeanne and Norman who all reside in Texas. Wilda had a baby brother named Ronald, who passed away when she was a young teen. This loss was never healed in her heart. Her sister, Jeanne, passed away in 2015.

Wilda is survived by her son, Dr. Kenneth Barney and his wife Allaine, and her daughter, Cheryl Barney Brelsford and her husband, Don. She has two grandchildren Logan Brelsford and wife Angela, and Chelsea Gallagher and husband Cole. She has six great-grandchildren, Sofia, Channing, Laken, Declan, Maverick and Maeve. She has numerous nieces and nephews from her husband’s family.

Wilda moved to North Carolina in 2015 and resided with Cheryl and Don. She had several caregivers who became her friends, including Nan Austin and Susan Rocchio. She enjoyed time with friends eating lunch at The Forks Cafeteria. In 2022, Wilda moved to Cadence of Wake Forest and enjoyed many activities there and became a beloved member of the community. She continued to enjoy visits with her family in their homes and especially enjoyed her visits from little Maverick who is known at Cadence to brighten many spirits, but none more than his “grammie”.

Wilda will be buried at Rosedale Cemetery in Martinsburg, West Virginia. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 1:00pm, with Richard Sherrard officiating. Family and friends are invited to this service.

There will be a Memorial Service for Wilda in Wake Forest. That date and time has not been decided at this point.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Cadence of Wake Forest (Memory Care) Wilda Barney Memorial Fund, 3218 Heritage Trade Drive, Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587.