Barbara Ashby

We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Barbara Richardson Ashby, or as she was lovingly known, “Nannie,” on Thursday, June 4th in Powhatan, VA. We will miss the Christmas dinners and afternoon card games that Nannie filled with her easy laugh and memorable sayings, and we will never forget the deep and unabashed love she had for her family. Throughout her life, Nannie made many contributions to her communities and improved the lives of those around her. For 35 years, she worked at Gibbs Die Casting Corporation, where she was known as a smart, hard worker with a great sense of humor. Nannie was also a dedicated member of the Moose Lodge: in addition to always having a lot of fun, she held many offices including Senior Regent, and made life-long friends in both Henderson, KY and Powhatan, VA. Nannie led the way as a champion of female athletics, serving as President of the only girl’s baseball league in Henderson from 1976-1979. She was an avid U.K basketball fan. She also loved to bowl, gamble, play (and win!) bingo, and be anywhere with her family–especially her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Bernard “Ben” Ashby, and her sister, Betty Whitehead. Her memory will be cherished by her daughter, Kathy Ashby Merry (and husband Tim) of Midlothian, VA.; sons, David Ashby of Powhatan, Va. and Tony Ashby (and wife Teresa) of Henderson, KY.; seven grandchildren, Tiffany Falls (and husband Jason), Amanda Ashby Conrad (and husband William), Matt Ashby, Jessi (Merry) Samuels (and husband Joey), and Marce (Merry) Robinson (and husband Luc), Zack Jankowski and Luke Murphy-Maloney; and three great-grandchildren, Hilan, Ben, and Maeve. Relatives and friends are invited to Nannie’s Life Celebration from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday and from 10:00 a.m. until service time at Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home in Henderson, KY. The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home with Pastor Robert Duncan. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Henderson, KY. Pallbearers will be Matt Ashby, Dale Ashby, Jim Ashby, Bill Duncan, Will Conrad, Luke Murphy Maloney. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Barbara’s memory to the Mooseheart Child City & School through Moose Charities at moosecharities.org/donate/. Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com.

Barbara Ashby

July 11, 1940 - June 4, 2026