As dawn arrived on the morning of Jan. 31, 2019, Barbara Sue Hall Sterling, 83, of Gloucester Point, departed this life.

She was the daughter of John and Anne Hall and the widow of Fred D. Sterling Jr., with whom she shared 53 years of marriage until his passing in 2009.

She was a graduate of Gloucester High School. Following her retirement from SunTrust Bank, she and Fred began their second jobs working part-time in the transportation department for Walter Reed Hospital. She was an active member of the Gloucester Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad for over 30 years and still volunteered in a small capacity until her health recently declined.

She was a member of the Botetourt Belles and was an avid gardener. She loved being outdoors, barefoot, working in the garden or making sure the birds were well fed. She coveted her role as mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and enjoyed a host of wonderful friends. 

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy S. Lambert and her husband Alan; her son, Michael V. Sterling; her grandchildren, Crystal Hoercher and her sons, Dean and Camden; Courtney Rowe and her husband Mike; Cody Sterling and his sons, Carter and Garrett and their mother, Stephanie Justice, and her sisters, Betty Girrard of Deland, Florida, and Patricia Apelt of Poquoson.

The family received friends on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester. Burial will be private.

Memorials may be made to Gloucester Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Gloucester, Va.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the wonderful staff at Gloucester House for the warm and compassionate care given our mother during her brief stay there. 

She never dreamed as a small child from Depression era Appalachia and placed in an orphanage, she could have had such a rich life so full love and laughter, but God knew.