Obituary: BARBARA VEIGH TALLEY

By ADMIN-RAS | Published January 25, 2024 | No Comments

Barbara Veigh Talley of Staunton, VA, departed this life Wednesday January 24, 2024 at Brookdale of Staunton. She was born in Reidsville, NC on December 11, 1946 to Wade and Nina Veigh Wall Talley.

Barbara Veigh was preceded in death by her parents and an infant son. She is survived by her son, Edward Baxter Yates and his wife Erin, and by her daughter, Kelly Veigh Yates Peters and husband Aaron; five grandchildren, Caleb Baxter Yates, Christina Marie Yates, Dylan Alan Yates, Archer Kainoa Peters, and Afton Kekoa Peters; one brothers; Timothy Wade Talley and wife Donna; one nephew Brandon Wade Talley and wife Leslie; and three great nieces. Cora, Vivian and Marley Talley; and her former husband, Harry Baxter Yates and wife Janelle.

Barbara Veigh graduated valedictorian from Reidsville Senior High School in 1965. She graduated cum laude from Appalachian State University in 1969. She taught high school English at West Wilkes High School from 1969 until 1975. In 1976 she found her true calling when she began working with adults with special needs at Watauga Opportunities, she worked at Yellow Mountain Enterprises in Banner Elk, NC; RHA Health Services in Deep Gap, NC; New River Behavioral HealthCare in Boone NC; Presbyterian Homes and Family Service in Waynesboro, VA and Region Ten Community Services Board in Charlottesville, VA and Standards, VA for a total of forty years of working with hundreds of adults with special needs. She never tired of making friends of those with whom she worked and their families. Her personal motto was Jesus’ statement in Matthew 25:40: “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, you have done it unto me.” After retirement she was honored to serve as legal guardian for her cousin, Timmy Farkas for four years.

Barbara Veigh’s pride and joy were her children, Kelly and Eddie, and the wonderful grandchildren they gave her. Although she left home to go to college when her brother Tim Talley, began fifth grade, she and “Timmy” were best friends and spoke almost daily on the phone for years.

Barbara Veigh was a member of several churches due to moving from please to place: Friendship Methodist Church and Baird’s Creek Presbyterian Church, where she was an elder, both near Boone, NC, Grace United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, VA, and Good Shepherd Church of the Nazarene in Stuarts Draft, VA.

A graveside service will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday January 28, 2024 in Wolf Island Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Reidsville, NC. A memorial service will be held at Good Shepherd Church of the Nazarene in Stuarts Draft, VA at a later date.

Citty Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

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