ORANGE, Mass. — On Sept. 18, Heaven became a little sweeter as Mom stepped into eternity. Barbara Coburn, 77, recently of Orange, Mass., was born Barbara Ann Ward to Elsie (Gordon) and William Ward on Aug. 15, 1941, in Monmouth.

She married her knight in shining armor, Clayton E. Coburn, of Sabattus on July 22, 1962.

They were happily married for 42 years, during which time they raised three children. She served the Lord and the community faithfully at South Lewiston Baptist Church as day care director for 15 years, where she was affectionately known to hundreds of children and parents as “Aunt Barbara.” During the next 15 years she was pleased to serve the community as supervisor of Environmental Services at Central Maine Medical Center.

Her life revolved around church and she was a faithful member of each church she attended. Never passing up an opportunity to serve the Lord, she worked in Sunday school, nursing home ministry, various children’s ministries including the bus ministry, and organized countless Christmas plays and programs. She invested her life and resources in serving the Lord and counted it a privilege to uphold her family in prayer daily, each one by name.

She is survived by three children, Robert Coburn and his wife, Betsy, of Mount Vernon, Brenda Weaver and her husband, Richard, of Breich, Scotland, and Rebecca French and her husband, Daniel, of Athol, Mass.; 11 grandchildren, Amy Allen, Andrea Downing, Marcia Coburn, Carl Hall, Caleb Hall, Brianna Weaver, Brittany Weaver, Caleb Weaver, Benjamin French, Clayton French, Emily French; five great-grandchildren, Destiny, Shelby, Cooper, Haylee, Robbie and Madelyn; a great-great-grandson, Carter, due to be born in January; and many others who called her Grammy; sisters, Christine Polley, of Augusta, Judy Farnum of Lisbon; a brother, James Ward, of Lisbon; and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Clayton Coburn; mother, Elsie Mitchell; and one sister, Carolyn Morgan.

Though her earthly body will rest beside her husband in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Sabattus, her loved ones look forward to the day when they will see her in Heaven.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Open Door Bible Baptist Church in Lisbon. There will be a calling hour at the church at 10 a.m.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com.

Mack Family Funeral Homes–Fiske-Murphy & Mack chapel, 110 New Athol Road, Orange, Mass., is assisting with arrangements.

Barbara A. Coburn

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