Barbara Jeane Franz passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021.

Born in Pekin, IL on Monday, November 3, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth Earl Clark & the late June Kracht Clark. The wife of the late Raymond Lynn Franz, Barbara is survived by her sons, Daniel “Danny” Franz, of Lynchburg, and Raymond Matthew “Matt” Franz, of Charlottesville, sisters, Carolyn Kroll, of Eureka, IL, and Marilyn Collins, of Peoria, IL, brothers, Steve Clark, Big Sandy, TN, and William Clark, Pekin, IL, and nieces, Kim Collins and Jennifer Milburn, and nephew Adam Clark all of IL.

Over the last 30 years, Barbara was dedicated to the special needs community. She spent much of her life organizing & running diverse programs in order to keep the community engaged & active. Her latest project was Puppets Alamode. Prior to that, she spent many years in charge of the Challenged Sports Exchange and was involved in many other aspects within the special needs community.

Condolences can be sent to 3539 Round Hill Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24503.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be conducted at 2pm Saturday on July 24th, 2021, at the ARC of Central Virginia.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name and sent to the ARC of Central VA, 1508 Bedford Avenue, Lynchburg, VA, 24504.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.