Barbara Michelle Aspey

She was born on August 17, 1942 in Morgantown, W.Va., a daughter of the late Edna Ross Titus and Malden James Fast, Jr., and was raised by her mother and stepfather, Thurman K. Titus.

Barbara was a lifelong resident of Carmichaels. Following her 1961 graduation from Cumberland Township High School, she worked at the Berkowitz clothing factory in Waynesburg. In her later years, she provided child care services and worked for a short time at the Carmichaels High School cafeteria.

On October 29, 1966, she married Louis E. Aspey.

Words cannot truly describe the impact Barbara had on others. She was a wonderful, kind woman who was loved and appreciated by all who were privileged to know her. Always humble, thoughtful and caring, she was known for her generosity of spirit, time and gifts. For years, she loved hosting family and “framily” for Christmas Eve, where people from near and far eagerly sought an invitation to her annual feast of homemade lasagna, meatballs, ham, apple sauce, potato salad and made-from-scratch pies.

Barbara was the anchor of her family and the epitome of “the good wife” of Proverbs 31. To her children, she was the absolute best mother in the world who gave selflessly of herself to support their dreams. She was their biggest cheerleader and advocate, and her passing is a time of profound sadness.

Deeply religious, Barbara was a member of Carmichaels Methodist Church, where for decades she volunteered for Adult Family Ministries and the United Methodist Women. She especially liked working the Election Day Dinner, where people would ask her to set aside her Jello salad and pies “just for me.” Fondly known by her family as “the social butterfly,” Barbara was also a fixture at the church ACTS store, where she loved being with her church friends and greeting the people who visited, enjoying many laughs and fun over the years in service of the Lord.

Barbara was an enthusiastic traveler and always ready to be “on the road again.” Over the years, she enjoyed trips to Cape Cod, Cape May, Charleston, S.C., Disney World and Epcot Center, Nashville, New York City, Savannah and Williamsburg. On her many trips to Washington, D.C., she quickly became on a first-name basis with many in the West End community, from the condo building residents to the school crossing guard.

Following her recovery from a life-threatening illness, she celebrated her 82nd birthday at Graceland during Elvis Week. More recently, she enjoyed family celebrations in Bluffton, S.C. and Charlotte. At the time of her death, she was eagerly anticipating another Beach Boys concert and had recently obtained her first-ever passport for a trip to Toronto in July and a Christmas cruise with her children.

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are her children: Louis II (Karen) of Bluffton, S.C., and Susan of Washington, D.C.; her brother, Thurman “Ken” Titus (Paulett); cousins Pattie Burnham Berkey (Scott) and Jerry and Linda Ross; her grand-dog, Beau-Louie; her “special third child” Lindy Krajnak; her “Janelly,” and several beloved nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to the many church ladies who brought so much joy to Barbara’s life and, the past few weeks, her “prayer warriors.” They also wish to thank her wonderful neighbors of many decades who supported them when she traveled for care at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, including the Hillsman, Krajnak, Rodavich and Severini families.

In addition to her parents and stepfather, she was preceded in death by her aunt Margaret “Peg” Burnham and uncle Earl Burnham; a step-sister, Sondra Titus Croftcheck Brown; cousins Glenda Simmons and Jeff Burnham; and granddogs, Oatie and Mac.

Arrangements are entrusted to Yoskovich Funeral Home, 300 South Vine St., Carmichaels. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday and Friday from 6-8pm. The funeral will take place at Carmichaels Methodist Church, 104 W. South St. Burial will follow at Laurel Point Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Carmichaels Methodist Church or the Humane Society of Greene County, Pa.