Barbara Shafer Ohmsen

1933 - 2021

Barbara Shafer Ohmsen passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. Barbara was a native of Roanoke, VA. She was predeceased by her parents Harry and Kathleen Shafer, and her husband Ray. She was a member of the Williamson Road Church of the Brethren in Roanoke. Barbara graduated from Madison College and was a member Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. She was a lifelong supporter of JMU. She came to Portsmouth to teach at Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a former president of the PTA at Western Branch High School and lifetime member of the PTA of Virginia Barbara was very active in the Garden Clubs holding many roles. She was charter member of the Green Meadow Point Garden Club and served as president several times. She served as president of the Portsmouth Area Council of Garden Clubs, the Tidewater District, and the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs. She was an honorary president of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs and served on the boards for the South Atlantic Region and the National Garden Clubs. Barbara was also a Nature Camp trustee for many years.

She is survived by her sons Mike (Cammy) and Greg (Michelle) and grandsons Casey (Jeni), Ryan and granddaughters Kristina and Rachel (Thomas and great-granddaughter Kendall), her sister, Priscilla (Don) Jamison, niece - Lynne Kinder, nephew - Mark (Eli), great nephew Joe and great nieces Kyra, Kate, and Grace. A viewing will be held at RW Baker and Company, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435 on Tuesday, October 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the same location on Wednesday, October 6 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception celebrating her life at the Portsmouth/Chesapeake Elks Log on Gum Road, Chesapeake. In lieu of flowers, Barbara would be delighted if you would make a donation to the Nature Camp Foundation - https://www.naturecampfoundation.org/give/.