Barbara Vashti Lingerfelt

Barbara Vashti Lingerfelt, 73, of Morganton, NC, passed away Saturday, December 9, 2023.

Born in Burke County, NC on August 21, 1950, she was the daughter of the late James Herbert Lingerfelt and Jeanette Jacqueline Peeler Lingerfelt.

Barbara was a member of First Baptist Church in Morganton and the Burke County Retired School Personnel. She was a 1968 graduate of Morganton High School, attended East Carolina University, and graduated with an MA degree in special education from Appalachian State University. She worked in various educational positions, traveling across the state to present workshops pertaining to the education of special children.

Barbara loved animals. She fed many neighborhood cats and had her special cat children, Inky and Rusty. She adopted Baby Piper, an abused dog, and loved her even though she was old and blind. Barbara was a fighter for what is right and helped many parents of special children.

She is survived by her sister, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Ward; nephew, Bryan Duckworth (Karen); nieces, Susan L. Fike (Curt) and Kate L. Caraway (Chris); great-niece, Hayley Caraway; great-nephews, Carson Duckworth, Hayden Caraway, Luke Murray, Noah Murray, Riley Caraway, and Tanner Duckworth; sister-in-law, Marilyn Hotchkiss Lingerfelt; and God-sons, Rob and Zac Denton.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by a brother, Danny Lingerfelt; and brother-in-law, Dave Ward.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m., Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Sossoman Funeral Home. The memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr. and Rev. Fred Schuszler officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to A Better Life Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 8311, Morganton, NC 28680.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.