Orlando B. Barksdale, Jr., age 86, died peacefully at the Potomac Center in the evening on Saturday, April 11, 2009. He was born in Charlottesville, Virginia and lived in Warrenton and Prince William County. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in North Africa and Egypt during World War II. His wife, Elizabeth Morris Barksdale, predeceased him in October 2006. They had lived all of their 50 years of marriage in Alexandria and Arlington. Mr. Barksdale was affectionately known to all his friends and acquaintances as ?O.B.? He was an accountant, an advisor, an auditor, and a tax manager. Before health problems required full time skilled nursing care, he and Elizabeth enjoyed their travels, their neighbors, and their many friends. He was a meticulous gardener, a neighborhood watch participant, and a member of the Elks Club. For the last several years, they resided at the Hermitage in Alexandria, Virginia. They had no children. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2009 from 6-8PM at Cunningham Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, Virginia, where funeral services will be held on Friday at 11AM. Interment to follow at National Memorial Park, Falls Church, VA.
It is with great sadness, love, and a lifetime of fond memories that I say “Goodbye” to Uncle O.B. Until recent years, when their health prevented it, Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle O.B. were always a central part of our immediate family celebrations. My whole life, they shared our birthdays, graduations, weddings, births, deaths, Christmases, New Years, etc., and gave us much love and great joy. My sister and I have now lost our parents and all of our many aunts and uncles, but I know they are all now in a better place still sharing the love and wonderful memories of their lives together. Uncle O.B. will be greatly missed but forever remembered with love through our wonderful memories of his kindness, laughter, and deep devotion to Aunt Elizabeth.
We’ll all miss O.B.’s wonderful sense of humor and zest for life. He’s with his dear Elizabeth now.
We will miss Uncle O.B. and cherish the many memories we have of holidays, birthdays, and other special family gatherings spent together over the past 50+ years. We love Uncle O.B. and Aunt Elizabeth very much.