Barbara Ann "Kave" Couter

A life well-loved and lived…Barbara Ann (Kave) Couter, 88, peacefully passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026, after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure. Born on March 13, 1937, in Cumberland, Maryland, Barbara was the daughter of the late Guy Daily Kave and Eva Leona (Klein) Kave. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her older siblings and their spouses, Jesse M. Kave (Dorothy), James J. Kave (Kathleen), and Thelma L. (Kave) Rankin (John).

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Paula E. McIntyre (Steven) and Wayne A. Couter, Jr. (Vickie); grandchildren: Bianca Klein (Patrick), Stacia Stafford (Matthew), Christian McIntyre (Bobbie), Ashlyn Illick (Mark), Oliver Dalton McIntyre, (Deanna Hogard), Amanda Kitis (ex-husband, Adam), and Wayne 'Anthony' Couter III (Patricia); great-grandchildren, Garrett and Avery Klein, Cailya, Natalie, Olivia, and Greyson Stafford, Grace and Kaiden McKone, Brynna McIntyre, Nathaniel Illick, Jameson and Jasmine McIntyre, Samantha, Haely, and Serenity Kitis, and Ellie and Wayne Couter IV. She was an aunt to Diane Pryor, Beverly Dean, Amy Biddle, and Jesse Kave, in addition to numerous cousins, great nieces, and nephews.

Raised in Cumberland, Barbara was a proud graduate from Allegany High School, class of 1955. She continued to remain active with post-graduate functions where she enjoyed and assisted in planning five-year, milestone, and annual reunions. Barabara truly valued staying connected with classmates.

A lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church, Barbara was the oldest living member of the Cradle Roll of that congregation. She was active with vacation bible school, a junior-senior Sunday school teacher, an advisor for the Methodist youth fellowship (MYF), assisted with church bake sales, luncheons, and dinners, and held various positions on the church improvement board.

Barbara met the love of her life while attending a basketball game in February of 1955, at the Central YMCA. Wayne and Barbara were married on June 9, 1956, and were together until his passing on July 24, 2024. Following graduation from high school, Barbara was employed as an office manager at Kelly Springfield Tire and Company until the birth of her first child in 1959. She remained a stay-at-home mom and was active with the Northeast Elementary School Parents Teacher Association (PTA), in addition to being a homeroom mother, a Cub Scout Den Leader, and a parent chaperone for Washington Middle and Fort Hill High School dances. In 1974, Wayne became the owner/operator of a plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning business known as Service Unlimited, Inc. and Barbara served as Secretary-Treasurer until December 2021.

Barbara loved having flowers indoors and outside, especially orchids, yellow roses, and a variety of succulents. She valued planting and maintaining a large vegetable garden and shared her canned goods, juices and sauces. Barbara enjoyed entertaining family and friends with meals and desserts, especially her homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs, spinach pie, Texas sheet cakes, and peanut butter eggs for Christmas and Easter. Barbara would make and share cookie trays with various organizations and businesses prior to the Christmas holidays.

Barbara and Wayne enjoyed traveling and were able to visit all fifty states. She appreciated rest, relaxation, and gatherings at camp in Largent, WV, in addition to any beach. Barbara was most happy having her family together, especially for Christmas, her favorite holiday. She prepared breakfast throughout the day as her children and their families were able to arrive and enjoy food, gift-giving, and family time. Barbara loved to shop and was quite the fashionista. She was especially thrilled to go on shopping and dining outings with her grandchildren. She enjoyed patronizing the local casino at Rocky Gap, was often lucky, and found the background sounds to be relaxing. Barbara and Wayne were very active with the Ali Ghan Shriners and established close bonds with others while serving with the organization. Together they visited many Shrine Children's Hospitals.

Barbara was a member of the Re Temple #118 Daughters of the Nile, Ali Ghan Shriners Past-Potentate 1996 ~ Potentate's Lady, Past-President Ladies Elk #63, Ali Ghan Camper Club, Bowman's Addition Women's Association, Good Fellowship Club, Queen City Region Antique Car Club, Plum Crazy Bodacious Babes, Red Hat Society, and a Life-time member of Kennells Mill Sportsmen's Club.

The family appreciates the many people involved with Barbara's care over the years and especially wish to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Sunil Gupta and Karen, Dr. Qamar Zaman and Tammy, Irma Jean Alkire, roommate, Eleanor Stotler, dear friend, Kim Logsdon, friend and business associate, Bonnie Rice, care-giver, as well as the staff of Allegany Rehabilitation and Nursing Center entrusted with Barbara's care.

Family and friends will be received at Central United Methodist Church, 15 South George Street, Cumberland, Maryland, on Friday, March 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. by Pastor Lee Brotemarkle. Interment will follow in the Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Park where Barbara will join Wayne, her husband of 68 years. A celebration of Barbara's life will immediately follow in the Ali Ghan Shrine Directors Staff Building, 13100 Ali Ghan Rd NE, Cumberland, Maryland.

Pallbearers will be Wayne A. Couter, Jr., Wayne A. Couter III, Adam D. Kitis, Christian A. McIntyre, Garrett M. Klein, Oliver D. McIntyre, and Matthew S. Stafford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated in loving memory of Barbara A. Couter to Central United Methodist Church, 15 S. George Street, Cumberland, Maryland 21502 or a charity of your choice.

Barbara was a loving wife, mother, granny, great-granny, aunt, and friend. She was a proud mother, absolutely adored her grandchildren, and was amazed by and delighted to share time with her great grands. Like her mother-in law always said, "Life goes on" and it does. Barbara is at peace now and has been reunited with Wayne and with so many memories to cherish, Barbara will live in our hearts forever.