Barbara Witmer Swartz

Barbara Witmer Swartz, of Nokesville, Virginia passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Blue Ridge Christian Home in Bealton, Virginia. Barbara was born on May 27, 1930 in Centre County, Pennsylvania, the fourth child of seven born to Allen and Sarah Witmer. She started school in 1934 in a one-room schoolhouse that educated children from grades 1 through 8. From 4th grade through her junior year in high school she moved between Pennsylvania and Florida due to her father’s health. She started working for Southern Bell as a long-distance operator at age 16 in her junior year of high school. In 1947 she graduated from Lake Worth High School and in June 1949 transferred to Portland, Oregon with the telephone company. In June 1952 Barbara enlisted in the US Navy as a WAVE “to see the world” and was first stationed in Pensacola, Florida. In August 1953 she met a Marine Lieutenant who became her husband in October 1953 she and was honorably discharged from the Navy at that time. Barbara’s family began to grow, with Susan being born on November 10, 1954 in Corona, California. Linda being born on February 21, 1957 in Cherry Point, North Carolina. Carla being born on December 16, 1958 in Centre County, Pennsylvania and Eddie arriving on September 6, 1963 in Fairfax, Virginia. In 1972 she and her husband separated and ultimately divorced in 1975. Barbara started working part-time in 1970 making curtains and drapes. She went back to work with the telephone company in 1972 until her retirement in 1986. Retirement saw her moving to South Carolina and becoming a nanny to two of her grandchildren. She also started working as a receptionist with Edward Jones. In 1990 Barbara moved back to Virginia staying in Fredericksburg. She worked selling jewelry, at a hearing aid company, and finally as a receptionist at the hair salon at J.C. Penney in the Spotsylvania Mall. In 2010 Barbara moved into the Sudley Manor, now Arbor Terrace, Assisted Living facility and to the Blue Ridge Christian Home in 2015. Barbara loved to travel, and some of her favorite trips were to the Canary Islands in 1979, the Holy Land in 1992, Italy and Switzerland in 1994, England in 1996, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in 1998, France in 2001 and a cruise to Bermuda in 2008. Barbara is survived by her children, Susan Robertson (Joseph), Linda Swartz and Carla Lowder; sister Shirley Flynn; grandchildren Meridith Smith (Eddie), Stephen Robertson, Jeffrey Lowder (Deborah), Lisa Schiffres (Jesse) and Jonathan Lowder; great-grandchildren Lily, Rhys, Addison, Anna, Jackson and Owen and a host of nieces and nephews. Barbara is predeceased by her son Edward Allen Swartz and siblings Harriet Bonhorst, Warren Witmer, Allene Deese, Steven Witmer and Joyce Shelton. A memorial service is being held at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St. Manassas, Virginia, on Friday, October 2, 2020 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Barbara Witmer Swartz

May 27, 1930 - September 20, 2020