OBITUARIES

Barbara A. Taft, age 85, passed away September 15, 2024 in Geneva, surrounded by her family. Born in Geneva on September 19, 1938, she was a daughter of Harry and Ruth (Prentice) Beatty. Barb married Franklin Taft on September 21, 1958 and spent her life in the Geneva area. Barb’s family owned(s) Beatty’s Florist and Holiday Bell Florist, of which she was a designer, retiring in 2016.

Since our Nation and Vets were very important to Barb, she would send letters and cookies out to them while they were deployed. As a bugler, she played TAPS for the Spanish-American Vets, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), various local townships, and anyone that needed a bugler anywhere.

A major highlight, which made the Guinness Book of World Records, local paper, and Cleveland news channel; was when Barb participated in “Echo TAPS”. It consisted of 852 brass players that traversed the 40 miles between two Veteran Cemeteries in northern Pennsylvania resulting in a continuous TAPS being passed along. She was frequently invited to teach patriotism in local elementary school classrooms through the years.

As a member of the Geneva United Methodist Church, she participated in the Eamus Walk, a Bible study group. Barb donated several gallons of blood to Red Cross initiatives. In 1971, she took a trip to the Holy Land. In her jail ministry, she sent notes and cards out to inmates to encourage them. She was a night shift member of the first Suicide Prevention Line in Ashtabula County called “Contact”.

Music was definitely a “key note” in Barb’s life. She was a trumpeter and singer in “The Porter Fun Bunch”, the “Geneva Community Choir”, the “Grace Notes”, and the unforgettable “Off Your Rockers” group. Barb also played her trumpet for the Salvation Army’s donation kettle collection at Christmas time for many years. She transported her trumpet everywhere.

Barb was involved in additional activities as follows: Brownies, Girl Scouts, Jaycees, Geneva Senior Center Trustee, Grace Chapter O.E.S, March for Life in Washington DC, and a local Pinnacle Card Club. She also bowled in a league, watched Jeopardy faithfully, read a multitude of books, wrote stacks of cards and letters, told stories well, and authentically shared her well-tuned wit! On her 52nd birthday she notoriously boasted, “Now I’m a full deck”!

Barb is survived by: Children: Val (Bob) Proper; Jannette (Rory) Wright; and Autumn (Nicholas) Flock. Grandchildren: John Wright, Andrew (Jessica) Wright, Moriah (Samuel) Sanya, Rory Wright II, Mason (Melody) Wright, Roman (Brooke) Wright, Grace Flock, Ruth Flock, and Jobe Flock. Granddaughter-in-Law: Trista Wright. Great-Grandchildren: Melina, Phillip, Evalynn, and Eli. There are a host of beloved family members and special friends such as Pattie Eller May and Gayla Craig.

Preceding her in death is her husband, Frank, Brother: Sam, Grandson: Javier. Great-Granddaughter: Aubrielle Sanya. Special Friend: Beebe Eller Mullins.

A Celebration of Life with refreshments will be held on Saturday December 28th, 2024 at noon in the fellowship hall at the Geneva United Methodist Church, 89 South Broadway, Geneva, Ohio 44041. Geneva VFW Post 6846 will conduct military honors

If desired, monetary donations may be made in her honor to the wonderful organization that helped to care for her for so many years, Hospice of the Western Reserve at 1166 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula, OH 44004.

Walker Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements