Barbara Kime Roop

Barbara Kime Roop, 87, of Salem, peacefully departed this life August 19, 2008. Born in Salem, Mrs. Roop was the daughter of the late W. Penn and Leah Riddle Kime. She was preceded in death by her husband, A. Kyle Roop, and brothers W. Penn Kime, Jr. and Robert W. Kime, II. Mrs. Roop is survived by her beloved daughter, Tamasin Roop, of Salem; cousins, Carolyn Wooley, of Ozark, Ala., Maurice Kime, of Richmond and Gretchen Morgan, of Alexandria; nieces, Kelsey Backels, of Millersville, Pa., and Karen Sheffield, of Goodview; and life-long friend, Mary Jane Bliss Sinex, of Salem. A singer and soloist, Mrs. Roop was a member of numerous choirs and vocal groups. She received vocal training at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Baltimore, Md., and also studied with private teachers. In 1942 and 1943, she had a weekly radio program, "Ballads by Barbara," on WDBJ in Roanoke. Later during World War II she sang often on radio station WWDC in Washington, D.C. and for servicemen at military hospitals and bases. During the 1990's, she and several friends formed a musical group that gave programs at area nursing homes, clubs and other organizations. Also a poet, in 1971 Mrs. Roop compiled her poetry into a book, Sighs of the Changing Winds.
Mrs. Roop was a member of the Salem Presbyterian Church and several music clubs and other organizations. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. August 28, 2008, at Lotz Funeral Home Chapel, Salem. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Roanoke College Music Scholarship Fund.