Barbara Jean (Bragg) Galford, 95, of Columbus passed away on April 12, 2024. She was born on November 11, 1928, in Widen, West Virginia, to the late John and Elsie (Ransinger) Bragg. In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Galford; and her brother, Louis Bragg.
She was known her entire life as Barbara Jean. Barbara graduated from West Virginia University with a major in music with a vocal emphasis. It was during her freshman year in an English class that she met her future husband, Leonard, who was from Cass, also a rural West Virginia Community and attended college on the G.I. Bill. He helped to work his way through college by being a waiter in the women’s dorm where he always made sure he waited on Barbara Jean’s table.
Barbara taught music at the local Widen School where she worked until Barb and Len were married on June 17, 1950, and would later teach music in Charleston, West Virginia.
Outside of her professional career, Barbara was invested in her family and she loved to cook, bake, and was an avid reader. She was an excellent seamstress and made many of her daughters’ clothing during their childhood. Barb also enjoyed creating ceramic pieces. She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church, and participated in committees and sang in the church choir. Barbara was also a member for over 60 years of the Grand Chapter of West Virginia Order of the Eastern Star. She taught piano to her children and to several of her grandchildren. She understood the important of faith and education. She loved dogs and had three toy poodles during her life. For much of the last 16 years since Len’s passing, Barb was invested in her family and her dog Jack.
Barbara will be greatly missed by her daughters, Becky (Greg) Gibbons, Bobbi (Doug Dahms) Galford, and Suzanne (Nick) Besser; grandchildren, Jessica (Dave) Sypert, Daniel (Ryan Ponec) Gibbons, Ali (Brian) Cunningham, Tori (Scott) Merriman, and Alexis (Zach) Steinberger; great-grandchildren, Coleman, David, Thomas, and Corinne; sister-in-law, Mary Bragg; and numerous extended family and close family friends.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 10am until 11am, at the Schoedinger Worthington Funeral Home, 6699 North High St., Worthington OH, 43085. A Funeral Service will follow at 11am and interment will take place at Kingwood Memorial Park.
Barbara’s family is grateful to Mayfair Retirement Center, where she lived the last four years of her life, to Bethel United Methodist Church, and to Suncrest Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory can be made to the Bethel International United Methodist Church, 1220 Bethel Road, Columbus OH, 43220.
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