Barbara Ann (Mac Laren) Pharr

     Barbara Ann Pharr, age 88, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Maple View Assisted Living, Ithaca, MI.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, January 12, 2024. Burial will take place at Ithaca Cemetery, Ithaca, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

   Barbara was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on February 24, 1935, the daughter of JD and Lena Belle (Becker) Mac Laren. Barb graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1953. She married her high school sweetheart, Richard Pharr on June 27, 1954, at Ithaca First Presbyterian Church.

     After raising her four children, she worked various part time jobs and eventually retired from Edward Jones in Alma. She was a lifetime member of Ithaca First Presbyterian church where she also was the junior choir director and made meals for the Ithaca Rotary Club. She sang alto with the Sweet Adelines and was a Girl Scout leader for many years. Barb and Richard were active members of the community and had many hobbies including, dancing with the Gay Nighters, golfing at the Gratiot Country Club and bowling at Town and Country Lanes. 

     Barb enjoyed knitting and gifted many handmade items. She was a wonderful cook and baker, known for her peanut brittle, peanut butter fudge, and fried chicken. She was a caring and giving wife, mother, and grandmother who devoted her life to raising her family.

   She is survived by her husband Richard Pharr, children: Laren and Cherie Pharr, Mary and Bill Hurley, Diane Pharr (Mark VanDePerre) son-in-law Kurt Velnetske, sister Bona Lou Beckley, 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and one more on the way.  She was preceded in death by her parents JD and Lena Mac Laren, father and mother in law Ernest and May Pharr, daughter Patricia J. Velnetske, brother Delos J. Mac Laren, and brother in law Ernie Pharr.

     Memorials may be made to the Ithaca First Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.