Barbara Thurmond Van Horn

January 26, 1931 - August 18, 2020

Barbara Thurmond Van Horn, 89, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2020. She was born on January 26, 1931 in Atlanta, GA. She later moved to Marietta, GA and graduated from Marietta High School in 1949. Barbara married Joseph Van Horn, Sr. and together spent 64 wonderful years raising their three children, Joe, Jr., Julie, and Stewart. She worked throughout her life as an administrative assistant with Westinghouse Corp., several local banks, and R.D. Garwood. Her greatest joy was her faith and family in which she dedicated much of her time and love caring for her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. She believed in the value of a good education, and supported school PTA and served as area PTA Council chairpersons during their children’s school years. Barbara was a devoted longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Marietta, where she enjoyed singing in the Chancel Choir and attending bible studies and Sunday school classes. Barbara Thurmond Van Horn was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Van Horn, Sr., her parents, L.L. Thurmond, Sr. and Willie Thurmond, her sister Onita Thurmond Rhodes, and brother, Stewart Thurmond. She is survived by her brother, Lam L. Thurmond, Jr., and her children and their spouses: Joe Van Horn, Jr. (Barbara), Julie Wilson (Brooks), and Stewart Van Horn (Kim). Barbara is also survived by grandchildren Jason Brown, Matthew Van Horn (Rebecca), Katie Van Horn Lovesy (Jake), Jordan Wilson (Carrie), Abbie Wilson, John Colburn (April), Pearson Van Horn (Jill), and Taylor Van Horn. She is also survived by great grandchildren Noah, Ansley and Sophie Brown, Grayson and Aiden Lovesy, and Paxton Wilson. The family will host a Celebration of Life memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Marietta (56 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064), Atherton Place (111 Tower Road, Marietta, GA. 30060), or Marietta City Schools Foundation (144 Polk Street, Marietta, GA 30060).