Barbara Sharon Eppler Hora, 83, of Hendersonville, passed away on August 11, 2021, at Elizabeth House after a brief illness.
Barbara was born to Freda Eleanor and Eugene Ernest Eppler on May 29, 1938, in Flushing, New York. She grew up in Hempstead, New York. She spent her formative years attending her beloved Linden Hall, a boarding school for girls in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Barbara was a graduate of the class of ‘55.
After graduating from Linden Hall, Barbara became a tour guide at Rockefeller Center in New York City, a job she declared her favorite throughout her entire life. After her time in New York City, she attended Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. During her freshman year, she met a young sailor, Richard “Dick” John Hora, who took a liking to her from the back row of their English class. After several coffee dates and a bit of a whirlwind courtship, they were married on December 17, 1958, in New York City at The Little Church Around the Corner.
The newlyweds headed to their first duty station in Brunswick, Maine. This was the beginning of a proud lifelong title of “Navy Wife”. Barbara supported Dick through several duty stations and deployments, ranging from the east coast to the west coast and back again, finally settling in Hendersonville, NC.
Barbara wore many hats throughout her life, but none brought more pride and pleasure than her family and love of music. She was a stay-at-home mother who rarely missed an opportunity to volunteer with her three daughters’ activities. She participated in community singing groups, church choirs, and bell choir for nearly 80 of her 83 years. A lifelong Methodist, Barbara was a member of Hendersonville First United Methodist Church.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Dick, daughter, Julie Hora Williams, and brother, Ronald Eppler. She is survived by daughters, Wendi Hora Bowen (Alan) and Amy Hora McConnell, seven grandchildren — Patrick Connelly (Tia), Ryan Connelly, Timothy Connelly (Brittany), Kelly Connelly, Cam McConnell, Tara McConnell, and Benjamin Williams. Barbara has one great-grandson, David Connelly. In addition, Barbara will always be considered “Mom” by many of her daughters’ friends.
Barbara will be remembered for her dedication to keeping her bird feeders full, putting food out for her “critters” (raccoons), her joy at seeing horses grazing in her pasture, hummingbirds returning, turkeys running through the yard, and utter annoyance towards her daily squirrel visitors.
A Celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
Jackson Funeral Service has been entrusted with the arrangements.
