Tipton, Barbara Kregloe

On December 10, 2009, Barbara Kregloe Tipton passed away at her home in Radford surrounded by her family and pets. Barbara’s goal last year was to finally retire, but her retirement was short lived as she fought and lost her life to cancer. In her fighting spirit, she was determined to see Virginia Tech through another football season, and she did! That said and done, she picked up her fishing pole and headed to the Big River in the sky.

Barbara is survived by her brother, Dwight L. Kregloe and wife, Gail, of Blacksburg, Va.; her daughter, BJ Tipton and husband, Tanuj Kulkarni, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; and her son, George Tipton and wife, Julie; and grandchildren, Aaron, Morgan and Zane, all of Christiansburg, Va. Also surviving are cousins, Gratton Brotherton and wife, Lynn, of Salem, Va., Ann Elder, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Bobby Smith and wife, Shirley, of Newport, Va. Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved animal “children”, Warpaint, Nemo, Kojack, Dixie, Bergen, Flash, Spot, Gandolf, Bruno, Tom, Dowdy, Lacey and Sam.

Barbara had many special friends who helped her through her journey this year. A special thanks goes out to all of them, including Betsy, Brandi, Donna, Lisa, Paul, Philly, Suzette, Tammy and the Carilion Clinic Hospice Team. Barbara was an avid Virginia Tech football fan and a die-hard fisherwoman. She will be remembered for her quick wit, her wicked sense of humor and her infectious laugh.

Barbara’s family welcomes those who knew her to join in the celebration of her life on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, in the River Room at the River Company Brewery, 6633 Viscoe Road, Radford, Va. 24141 from 3 to 5 p.m. with a service at 4 p.m. The Tipton family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford, www.mullinsfuneral home.com.