Barbara Carol Burnight

Barbara Carol (Myles/Murphy) Burnight, 64 of Barboursville, VA passed away August 31, 2022 at University of Virginia Hospital from complications of LGL Leukemia.

Barbara was born in Oak Hill, West Virginia on November 05, 1957, daughter of the late Robert and Mauvereen Myles nee Niday (Murphy). Mauvereen was remarried when Barbara was 5 and at age 6 Barbara was adopted by Gerald Richard Murphy. She is survived by her Husband, DeWayne D. Burnight; Son, John Patrick Murphy; Grandson, Jacob Wheeler; Father, Gerald Richard Murphy and his wife Nancy M. Morton; Stepson, Nicholas DeWayne Burnight, Daughter-In-Law, Crystal Morris; Step Grandchildren: Josh Morris, Cindy Burnight, and Leith Burnight. She also leaves behind a great number of long time friends, peers and extended family and her beloved pets.

Barbara the daughter of a coast guard officer spent time growing up in New London Connecticut, San Diego and Monterey California, Pensacola Florida, Traverse City Michigan (middle school years) Cape May New Jersey (High School) and Honolulu Hawaii. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served 8 years as a draftsman. After the Navy, Barbara returned to San Diego, gave birth to her beloved son, John, attended college and gained a real love of the biological sciences.  She made a career as an associate scientist working in drug development, a career she loved deeply and excelled in.

Sadly, Barbara was diagnosed with a debilitating form of rheumatoid arthritis and so was unable to continue the work she loved, forcing her into early retirement. By this time she had met the love of her life, DeWayne Burnight, and the two of them set off for a new adventure in Barboursville, Virginia. They bought the home they continued to share and Barbara filled it with chickens, ducks, geese, cats and dogs...she loved animals and her gardening. Barbara was good at whatever she tried to grow until these past few years robbed her of the physical energy and strength to continue.

Barbara never lost hope that her health would improve, and she could “live into her nineties”! She had a knack for letting those fortunate to know her just how much she loved them, she could tow a hard line, if necessary, yet you always knew it was her great love that continued. Barbara was diagnosed with LGL Leukemia in July 2022 and was looking forward to beating that disease once her health improved. Sadly, that was not to be, and she died with the dignity that was so important to her, surrounded by her husband, her son and her father and Nancy by her side!

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers

of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.”

-Washington Irving An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com

A private service will be held by the family at a later date.

In leu of flowers the family would like loved ones to donate to the LGL Leukemia Program at University of Virginia Hospital.

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