Barbara Kling

Rosemary "Barbara" Kling, age 90, died on August 16, 2025 at home. She was born March 20,1935 in Teaneck, NJ, to Rosemary and Franklin Grapel. Her life goals were to become a nurse, marry John Kling, and have four children, two boys and two girls. She accomplished all of these goals! She graduated from St. Luke's School of Nursing in New York City in 1956. She married John Kling in 1955, and had four children, Ken, Sue, Carl and Jennifer. She was a wonderful mom, instilling love for God, hospitality, honesty and service to others. She encouraged her children in their endeavors and career paths.

 After raising her children, she returned to her nursing career for 10years. After John retired, Barbara and John started a new career of sheep farming, where she applied her nursing talent to care for her sheep. She was thrilled when she became a grandmother and then a great-grandmother and loved their visits to the farm.

She is survived by her four children: son Kenneth and wife Janet Kling, daughter Susan Hayter, son Carl and wife Susan Kling and daughter Jennifer Kling, nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She belonged to St Thomas Episcopal Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir and participating in their food ministries.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with a service to follow at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Tom Day. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Kling, Carl Kling, Robert Kling, Viktor Kling, Tim Culp and William Denton. Interment will follow at Holston Conference Cemtery in Emory, VA. 

In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Thomas Episcopal Church. 124 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. 

The family of Rosemary Barbara Kling is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, Main Street location, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.