Barbara Buchanan

Barbara Wood Buchanan
January 25, 1933 – February 21, 2014
“Return with Honor”

Barbara Wood Buchanan, daughter of Charles J. and Belle Burton Wood, born January 25, 1933, in Tremonton, Utah, graduated with honors from this mortal existence at her home in Elwood on February 21, 2014, of congestive heart failure.

Barbara married Jerry W. Buchanan December 7, 1951, in the Logan Temple. Together they have cherished over sixty-two years of heaven on earth.

Barbara was an only child through the early part of her life and as a result she often said that her childhood friends were her sisters and brothers who were just born to other mothers. Her brother W. John Burton was adopted into the family circle, in 1949, when Barbara was 16 years old.

Her home and her heart were nurtured in Garland. It became a lifelong quest to gather the stories, the histories, and the pictures, which would ensure that the heritage of this little corner of the world would be remembered and recorded. Through fifty years of miracles, inspired assistance, determination, and a lot of hard work, Barbara was able to finish and publish the anecdotal history "Reflections of Garland" in time for the Garland Centennial in 2004.

Barbara loved music and the arts. She was an accomplished pianist and taught music lessons for a number of years. She had an incredible memory, wrote poetry, gave captivating book reviews, and readings most of her adult life. For Utah's Centennial in 1996, Barbara and Jerry served as co-chairs to plan and implement the events for the Box Elder County celebration

Barbara was a pioneer in educational possibilities. She taught Freshman English for two years and English as a Second Language at Utah State University for nearly thirty years. Her gifts of teaching infused enthusiasm for and devotion to both learning and reading in her students and her children. She taught Relief Society, Primary, Gospel Doctrine, and the Mid-Singles CES Course. She also served as Stake Relief Society President. Barbara was a second mother to hundreds of ‘Sons of Helaman’, a training program designed to teach young men missionary skills. She and Jerry served in the Nauvoo Temple Mission to assist with the Open House and Dedication. They also served as ordinance workers in both the Nauvoo and Logan Temples.

Her greatest accomplishments and joy were her posterity: Janie (Robert) Van Komen, 10 children; Mary Kay (Brent) Kirkland, 5 children; Bryan (Carrie), 5 children; Melissa (Bret) Archibald, 6 children; 55 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Funeral arrangements provided by Rogers and Taylor Mortuary: Friday, February 28, 2014 at 12:00 noon, at the Tremonton South Stake Center, 1150 South Tremont Street. Viewings: Thursday, February 27, 2014, 6:00 to 8:00pm, and Friday prior to the funeral service10:30 am to 11:30am, both at the South Stake Center. Interment will be in the Garland City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers Barbara requested contributions be made to the General Missionary Fund for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints