Barbara Jean Strudwick went HOME to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 21st, 2016 after a courageous 20-month battle with cancer. Barbara passed away with her beloved husband by her side in their mountain home in Laurel Fork, VA. She chronicled her struggle on CaringBridge.org.

Barbara was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on April 23, 1948 to the late Jesse O. Whitehurst and Betty B. Whitehurst. Barbara is survived by her loving and devoted husband, James Strudwick, son Nathan Pless, step-son Jason Strudwick (Stephanie), grandson Ryan, sister Carol Howard (Bill), and niece Jill Hunter (Brian).

Barbara graduated from Churchland High School. She attended Mary Washington College and later, Old Dominion University. Her business and computer science curriculums led her to a Civil Service career. She worked at NAVSEC in Norfolk, NAVELEX in Portsmouth, and finally the Army Corps of Engineers in Norfolk. During the latter half of her career she focused on the integration and management of large data bases. She retired in 2007 and still counted many friends from her productive thirty-five year career.

She was a wonderful organizer, and whatever she set her mind and hand to, she completed with attention to detail. She took great pleasure in gardening throughout her life. It was an art form where she expressed an organized beauty. She loved her kitties. Barbara loved the beauty of nature, particularly its birds, and cherished each change of season. She loved traveling with her husband Jim throughout the US, Canada and Europe and by motorcycle to sportbike rallies in the eastern mountains. She relished socializing with friends and family, especially during the holidays. Barbara loved her daily Bible devotional time in the morning. She was a spirited woman who enjoyed this life immensely but looked forward to her new life through Christ in Heaven.

She had two church families. Churchland Baptist was her home church in Tidewater. She was a member of this church for close to 50 years, and she served in a number of ministries through the years that she attended. Upon her move to Laurel Fork, Bluemont Presbyterian became her home church. She loved both of her church families. Due to her illness her time of attendance and service at Bluemont was brief, but she became involved with the children's ministry there and loved bringing the love of God to these dear ones each Sunday morning.

Barbara loved her family deeply. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt and friend. She, with her glorious smile, will forever remain in the hearts and minds of all that knew her.

The family would especially like to thank all of those who supported Barbara and Jim through their prayers, thoughts, visits, and physical help through Barbara's illness.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Feeding America Southwest Virginia, 540-342-3011.

A time and place for celebrations of Barbara's life in both Tidewater and Laurel Fork will be posted on www.caringbridge.org/visit/bjstrud .