Barbara Anne Thetford, 67, died from respiratory failure brought on by her Cystic Fibrosis condition on August 30^th 2017 at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Despite being hampered by such a serious medical condition, Barbara lived a meaningful and productive life while remaining cheerfully optimistic.

Born Barbara Anne Byrd on December 15^th 1949 to Jane Erekson Byrd and Robert Earl Byrd in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Barbara and her family moved to Virginia Beach, VA in 1953. She attended Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach where she met her one true love, Jimmy Thetford, during her senior year. After Barbara graduated in 1968 and Jimmy returned from Vietnam they were wed on February 27, 1971. Barbara and Jimmy lived in Suffolk, VA for the majority of their married life. Although limited by CF Barbara worked full-time from the age of 18 until her retirement from Tidewater Community College in 2002 at the age of 52. She worked there from 1984 to 2002 and had the following titles when she retired: Virginia Contracting Officer and Business Manager of the Facilities Management Administrative Offices.

In 2008 Barbara and Jimmy moved into their dream home, a log home in Green Bay, VA. In Green Bay Barbara was active in the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary Post #50 where she was the treasurer. She was also a member of Tussekiah Baptist Church in Meherrin, VA where she was baptized.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 46 years, Jimmy Thetford; her brother Eric Byrd, his wife Sombut Byrd and their children: Charlie Byrd and Eric Adrian Byrd; her brother W. Henry Byrd and his wife Julie Marie Byrd; her brother John Carlton Byrd; her brother-in-law Rick Howard (husband of Barbara’s beloved sister Nancy who died in 1993); her nephew, Nancy’s son and Barbara’s son in all but name after Nancy’s death Shelton Earl Lynch Morton , his wife Sarah Dawn Morton and their children Shelton Gauge Morton and Lillian Jane Morton who Barbara called her little angels.

Barbara was a warm, loving, generous soul who will be greatly missed by countless friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at Altmeyer Funeral Home located at 5792 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia on Saturday, September 30^th 2017 at 6:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Services are being handled by Cremation Society of Virginia, (757) 474-9409.