Barbara would be an outstanding educator and leave a lasting impression on numerous students over the course of her time at East Fairmont High School, Fairmont Senior High School, Miller Middle School, and Fairmont Catholic. During her time as an educator she paid for her husband Dan to attend Pharmacy School, and thereafter they started Rider Pharmacy in 1967 which would go on to be a staple of the community for over 50 years. Barbara took the lead on running the gift shop portion of the Rider Pharmacy business and worked tirelessly to maintain a beautiful selection of gifts and décor which delighted the community.
Barbara and Dan would build a close-knit loving family throughout their lives and maintain the strongest friendships which anyone could hope to have. Barbara would also be an active pillar of the community for her entire life having been involved in the United Way, the Women’s League, the Chamber of Commerce, and was an active local business advocate with the local government. Barbara would be a long-time member of a supper club which was held with a close circle of her dearest friends and would co-found a book club in 1997. Barbara would be an enthusiastic participant in both of these clubs from their founding until her passing.
Barbara is preceded by her daughter Jennifer Christine Rider and her parents Mary Beatrice Chadwell Lemley and Harmon Bud Lemley.
Barbara is survived by a large and beloved family including her husband Daniel Marion Rider, her son Christopher Scott Rider and his wife Maria Munoz Rider, her son Jonathan Michael Rider and his wife Heather Lee Macdonald Rider, her son Todd Daniel Lemley Rider and his partner Tara Elise Slusher, her sister Mary Jane Lemley Shackleford, and her six grandchildren Gatsby Quintan Hayes Rider, Jason Scott Rider, Aidan Palmer Rider, Dylan Patrick Macdonald Rider, Emily Claire Rider, Marley Brooke Rider.
Barbara Rider regularly reflected on and spoke fondly of the countless friends and family members which helped to give her life joy and purpose, often remarking on how blessed she was to have so many loved ones. She lived a beautiful life of kindness, charm, and grace. Her natural spark and personal warmth touched a thousand hearts and she will be remembered with love by all who knew her.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont WV 26554. Friends and family will be received on Sunday, August 2, 2026 from 1p.m. until 6p.m. and again on Monday, August 3, 2026 from 9a.m. until 10a.m. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Monday at 10a.m. with Reverend Nici Masters as celebrant. A graveside service will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Fairmont. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.
