John David Barns

RICH VALLEY, VA 

John David Barns, age 93, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 27, 2024. 

John was born in Rich Valley, VA to the late CT (Buster) & Marylyde Buchanan Barns. Along with his parents, he is also preceded in death by his stepmother,  Bernice Clark Barns; wife, Betty Combs Barns; brother CT Barns Jr.; sister-in-law, Nancy Huff Barns; father and mother-in-law, Herman & Anna Mae Combs; brother-in-law, Jay Combs; and nephew, Jeff Combs.

John played football and basketball at Rich Valley High School and was a member of the FFA. His father helped start the annual Rich Valley Fair where he showed horses, sheep and cattle. John was always a farmer and worked for the Virginia Department of Agriculture grading livestock. In September of 1954 he married his love, Betty. Later he and his wife moved to Pocahontas and then Elk Garden where he became bookkeeper for Elk Garden Farms, owned by the late Senator Harry C. Stuart. He became a dairyman in Elk Garden in 1964. In 1974 he returned home to Rich Valley and operated his own dairy farm until 2010. John served on the board of directors for PCA & Land Bank (Farm Credit), Farm Bureau and various other organizations. He was a dairyman and breeder of registered Holstein cattle for 46 years in Elk Garden and Rich Valley. John never met a stranger, had a memory as sharp as they come and was not shy about telling all his wonderful tales! 

He is survived by his son Dave Barns of Randallman, NC; daughter Lib Burress & husband, Tim of Rich Valley, VA; granddaughter Jessica Davidson & husband, Arnold of Marion, VA; grandson Cody Burress & fiancée, Autumn Barrett of Saltville, VA; great-grandchildren Cora, Emma, Lucas, Olivia & Vaughn; and his beloved dog Rosie. John is also survived by many special friends, family and church family.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Abingdon Health & Rehab facility for their loving care, kindness and compassion, not only to John but to the family.

Memorial Service for John will be held at Rich Valley Presbyterian Church, 3811 Rich Valley Road, Saltville, VA 24370 on Sunday May 5, 2024. Visitation will begin at 2pm with the funeral service beginning at 3pm and graveside to follow. Pastor Mike Klumpp is officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Rich Valley Weekday Religious Program in care of Rich Valley Presbyterian Church at 3811 Valley Road, Saltville VA 24370.

To share memories of John David Barns, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for John has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA 24354.