Mrs. Barbara Kirtner Lancaster

Barbara Kirtner Lancaster went home to be with the Lord on July 31, 2026, at the age of 95. Born on March 24, 1931, in Montgomery County, VA, she was the daughter of Raymond & Mazzie Kirtner, both of whom preceded her in death, along with her sister, Eunice Kirtner Roberts.

Barbara married George Robert Cochran on June 23, 1955. They were married 15 years before his passing in July 1971. Through a mutual acquaintance, Barbara met Rev. Elton Lancaster of Rocky Mt., NC. His wife, Edna Hodges Lancaster, had passed in May 1972. After a short courtship of letters, calls and some visits in the Spring of 1973, they were married on December 29, 1973, in Radford, VA.

Barbara quickly earned some new titles: “Pastor’s Wife,” “Mom,” “Grandma” and later “Great-Grandma.” She supported Elton in several pastorates in the NC Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. In 1986 they retired in Falcon, NC where they became involved in the Town of Falcon and Culbreth Memorial PH Church. After Elton’s passing on January 2, 2008, Barbara continued to be a part of the church activities, Bible Study, etc. She loved her friends in Falcon. She was jokingly called the “Uber of Falcon” by her family as she enjoyed driving her friends to Dunn, going to hair stylist appointments, running errands and going out to eat.

The family would like to especially thank and acknowledge her special friend, Darlene (Larry) Walsh of Wade, NC for her years of loving, caring and spoiling Barbara. Darlene was so faithful in her support of Barbara as she transitioned from her home in Falcon to Green Leaf Care Center in Lillington. The family greatly appreciates all she did for her.

MOM is survived by:

Joyce (Bethea) Moore, Garner, NC; Ken (Debbie), Garner, NC

GRANDMA is survived by:

Kristen (Tim) Harrell, Greenville, NC; Kelley (Sean) Strachan, Aurora, CO; Josh (Amber) Moore, Newland, NC; Journey & Melina Lancaster, Garner, NC

GREAT-GRANDMA is survived by:

Savannah Harrell, Myrtle Beach, SC; Jonas & Luke Harrell, Greenville, NC; Connor & Ian Strachan, Aurora, CO; Alex, Ryan & Emmy Cobb, Newland, NC

Barbara is also survived by her brother, Edmund Kirtner, Pulaski, VA.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 5th at 2:00 pm at the Culbreth Memorial PH Church in Falcon, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:00-1:45 pm prior to the service.

A private graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 6th at 11:00 am at Rocky Mount Memorial Park, in Rocky Mount, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Falcon Children’s Home, PO Box 39, Falcon, NC 28342 or Liberty Hospice, 105 Hunt Valley Drive, Dunn, NC 28334.

Arrangements are by Skinner & Smith Funeral Home in Dunn, NC.