Barbara Jean Porterfield

Barbara Jean (Wait) Porterfield, 94, a resident of the Tygart Valley Health and Rehabilitation in Belington, WV, passed away Wednesday November 29, 2023. Barbara was born December 13, 1928, in Washington, DC, a daughter of the late Dr. George Ray Wait and Sara Fay (Johnson) Wait. Barbara was united in marriage on September 9, 1947, to her loving husband of 72 years, John Brokaw Porterfield, who preceded her in death on February 21, 2020.

Surviving are children; Karen (Porterfield) Skidmore and husband Jim of Philippi, WV; Jeffrey Porterfield and wife Annette of Crofton, MD; grandson Daniel Skidmore and wife Kerry of Henderson, NV; great grandchildren, Jackson, Isla, and Finley Skidmore of Henderson, NV; niece Betsy Brodnax and husband Peter of Knoxville, TN; and nephew, James Strong Jr. of Delaware.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents George and Sara Wait; husband John Porterfield; and sisters, Josephine Ferguson, and Patricia Strong.

After raising her family, Barbara worked in many places. She was the editorial assistant for the National Commission of Chaplains, and the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. Barbara loved music; she played the piano, taught and played the recorder, and was also a hand bell director. She was a member of the Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church in Kensington, MD and the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Cocoa Beach, FL, where she shared her talents by singing in both choirs. She also played piano for services when she lived at Elison of Maplewood.

There are no services scheduled at this time.