Barbara Moss Obituary
Barbara Ann Moss of Hammil Valley, California passed away while she slept October 8, 2025, her birthday, at the age of 83.
Barbara was born October 8, 1942, to Robert and Dorothy (Underwood) Clements in Riverside, California. Robert was enlisted in the Army working as an aircraft mechanic overseas during WWII, so Barbara and her mother spent the war years living with her Underwood grandparents and six uncles who doted on her. Barbara grew up in the Riverside area and was joined by a brother, Robert, a few years later. The family eventually moved to Lancaster, California where Barbara graduated from Antelope Valley High School. She attended a year of college following her high school graduation, and met her future husband Richard, during that time. Richard was working for her father in Lancaster. They struck up a relationship and married in 1961. They established a household in North Edwards, California, where Richard had taken a job operating the 1200 acre Mojave Ranch growing alfalfa. Richard and Barbara's son Donald, daughter Diane, and son Kenneth were born while at the Mojave Ranch. In 1970 the family bought the Cinnamon Ranch located in Hammil Valley and have resided and farmed there since. In addition to being a full-time homemaker, Barbara managed the books for the ranch, volunteered as a 4H community and project leader, drove many kids to every kind of school or community event, and served coffee and meals to hundreds of family, friends, salespeople, hay buyers, researchers, and strangers at their kitchen table. Later she spent nearly 23 years as the Administrator for the Laws Railroad Museum near Bishop, a job that she cherished. She brought her strong love of local history and sense of hospitality to this work and cared deeply for the Museum staff and volunteers.
Barbara is survived by her husband Richard of 64 years, her brother Robert and wife Gayle, her son Donald and wife Daphne, daughter Diane and husband David Doonan, son Kenneth and wife Leslie, stepson Bob Mooney and wife Nan, beloved grandchildren Elisabeth (David) Ellsworth, Lindsey (James) Janney, Lauren (Kevin) Cimino, Joseph Moss, Keegan Moss, Jacob (Mini) Doonan, Matthew (Megan) Doonan, Katie Doonan (Colton Riesen), Allen Hanley Moss, Alyson Moss, Ashley Moss and 12 great-grandchildren. All of these children were her greatest joy in her final years.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 12:00 noon, October 25, 2025 at the Brune Mortuary, at 325 W. Elm Street, Bishop, CA 93514 with graveside services to follow at the East Line Cemetery, 2000 East Line Street, Bishop, CA.
Published by Inyo Register on Oct. 18, 2025.