Barbara Joyce (Franks) Lard

Barbara Joyce Lard, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and faithful servant of the Lord, passed peacefully from this life on December 14, 2024, surrounded by loved ones, at the Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, TN. She was born in Savannah, TN, to her late parents, Mr. Hershal Horace Franks and Mrs. Mattie Allieen Lay, on January 22, 1948.

Barbara grew up in Savannah, TN, where her love for family and God took root. As she grew older, those seeds of love flourished into a beautiful life rooted in faith, family, and simple joys. On July 7, 1975, Barbara married the love of her life, Mr. Paul Lard. Together, they built a life of devotion, making Waynesboro their forever home. Their marriage of 49 years was a testament to enduring love, commitment, and faith. Barbara’s heart overflowed with love for her children grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Whether spending quiet mornings in her cherished garden, harvesting the fruits of her labor, or celebrating life’s milestones, she found her greatest joy in her family’s presence. She especially loved tending to God’s creation with her hands in the soil, seeing beauty blossom under her care. An eternal lover of nature, Barbara found peace and solace at the beach. The rhythmic sound of waves and the endless horizon of the water were her reminders of God’s vastness and His blessings. She could spend hours walking along the shore, feeling the ocean breeze and marveling at its beauty. A devoted servant, Barbara was a longtime member of Cornerstone Church in Collinwood, TN. Her steadfast faith and love for the Lord guided her every step, and she was a constant source of inspiration to all who knew her.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Mr. Paul Lard of Waynesboro, TN; sons Billy Painter, Paul “Buck” Lard and wife Rachael of Waynesboro, TN, and Bobby McMillen of Columbia, TN; daughters Tina Keeton and husband Kevin of Lawrenceburg, TN, and Sissy Wren of Waynesboro, TN; grandchildren Courtney Allen, Brittney Garrison, Brenton Evans, McKenzie Lay, Chanley Baugh, Chandra Painter, Blaze Painter, Blake Painter, Brentlee, Brodee, Blakelee, Faith Keeton, Lexy Lard, Jaxon Lard, Shayla McCrory, Jordan Wren, Jaymin Wren, Jalen Wren and Kayla Potete; great- grandchildren Emerson, Hevannah, Amberlee, Kintlee, Alysha, Jaelin, Jayda, Jazlyn, Cayden, Zayden, Axton, Krews, Hazel, Asher, Rush, Margeaux and Vinny. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will live on through her cherished children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends.

Though Barbara’s time on this earth has come to a close, the seeds of her love, faith, and kindness will continue to grow in the lives she touched. Her family finds comfort knowing she is now at peace, walking along Heaven’s shores with her Savior, watching over them as they carry forward her spirit of faith, love, and grace.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a daughter Tammy Evans who passed in 2005. 

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation, LLC chapel on December 17, 2024, at 1:00 pm. 

Visitation will be held on Monday December 16, 2024, from 5:00 pm till 9:00 pm and again on Tuesday December 17, 2024, from 10:00 am till 1:00 pm service time all at the Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation, LLC Chapel in Waynesboro, TN.

Committal service and burial will take place immediately after services on Tuesday in Shields Cemetery.

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” – Proverbs 31:28

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