Barbara Stanley Welsh passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026. Born on August 31,1930 in Savannah, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late James R. and Adeline T. Stanley.
Barbara was educated in Norfolk public schools and graduated from Maury High School in 1948. She graduated from Randolph Macon Woman’s College in 1952 and married Cecil T. Welsh the same year following his graduation from Virginia Military Institute. During their 70 years of marriage she taught school in Norfolk, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Virginia Beach. Barbara was upbeat, kind, and generous and loved her family and her many friends. She enjoyed traveling the world with Cecil, frequent trips to Lexington, and spending time with family at the beach and the Eastern Shore.
She was predeceased by her husband, Cecil T. Welsh. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Martin Welsh (Sonja) of Virginia Beach, Leigh Gallalee (Drew) of Richmond, and Carolyn Atherholt of Virginia Beach; her grandchildren, Hunter Gallalee (Katie), Caroline Loef (Andy), Ben Atherholt (Rachel), Carrie Atherholt, Brooke Atherholt, and Emily Read (Michael), and her great -grandchildren, Pierce Gallalee, Brent Gallalee, and Lucy Loef.
Barbara was an active member of Baylake United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Contributions in her memory may be made to Baylake United Methodist Church, 4300 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be missed by all. A private family service will be held at a later date.