Carl Lawrence Barber

Carl Lawrence Barber passed peacefully and was received into his true and lasting heavenly peace and rest on June 18, 2023 in Roanoke, Va. at the age of 93. Carl was born on March 7, 1930 in Grove City, PA to Stewart Cassius Barber and Zelda Clare (Snyder) Barber.On July 21, 1951, he married Ruth Elaine Benshoff, the love of his life, who preceded him into their rest on April 19, 2017. Also preceding him into their rest were his parents; his step-mother, Dorothy; three brothers, Stewart Cassius, Jr, John, and William; one sister, DeElma; and an infant grandchild.He is survived by their five children: Stephen (Beth) Barber, Plymouth, IN, Deborah (Rick) Surette, Nashua, NH, Jon (Kelis) Barber, Indianapolis, IN, Meredith (Joel) Burdell, Clovis, NM, and Philip (Shari) Barber, Fredericksburg, VA; as well as cherished members of the family, Vahid (Liliana) Khakbaz, Bethesda, MD. He had 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  Carl graduated from Grove City High School and completed 2 years at Grove City College. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard and was in the 229th Battalion, C Battery.  After the unit was federalized, he spent over 6 months in Germany, earning an Occupation Medal.  During his training at Camp Atterbury and prior to his departure to Germany, he and Ruth were wed.  Upon his return he transferred to Ashland College and subsequently earned a BS, majoring in Math followed by a Master’s Degree in Ministry at Ashland Theological Seminary.  He was a pastor and served in Brethren (Ashland) churches in Pleasant Hill, OH; Mulvane, KS, and Herndon, VA.  He finished his career as a math teacher at Edison HS, VA.  He dearly loved his family and looked forward to every gathering, large and small, including our weekly family Zoom calls over the past 3 years.  His love for God and others had been broadened by his extensive reading and experiences.  He embraced the Westminster Shorter Catechism, specifically question 1, “(Our) chief end is to glorify God and enjoy (God) forever.” His extended family included his best friend, Barry Holman; Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke; and his friends at the Glebe. He loved singing in the choir, confessing from time to time that his tears had compromised his contribution.A celebration of Carl’s life will be 2:00 pm Thursday, June 29 at Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Avenue, SW Roanoke with Elizabeth Link officiating. Burial will be 10:00 am at Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, 5550 Bagging Plant Road, Dublin. The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Wednesday at Rader Funeral Home, 630 Roanoke Road Daleville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Trent Symposium for Newly Ordained Ministers, A Ministry of Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Avenue, SW Roanoke, VA 24016.On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.rader-funeralhome.com/tributes/Carl-Barber.