Barbara B. Stiles

Barbara B. Stiles, 90, of South Otselic, NY, passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Cortland Regional Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Born on June 18, 1919 in North Pitcher, a daughter of the late Harry and Emma Neal Brown, Barbara graduated from South Otselic High School in 1938. After graduation, she studied music under the direction of her sister-in-law, Elaine Brown, in Philadelphia, PA and had the opportunity to sing with choirs at the Julliard School of Music in New York City. She then returned home to marry Earl W. Stiles on October 14, 1939, at the Methodist Church in South Otselic with Rev. G.G. Crawford officiating. Through the years, while raising their three children, Rebecca, Nelson and Wesley, Earl's profession took the family from South Otselic to Caledonia to Albany and back to South Otselic in 1970, when the couple retired. Earl died in 1988.

After raising her family, Barbara held various jobs where she made close friends and was often called "Aunt Barbara" or "Grandma Stiles" by so many who loved her. As a homemaker, she was well-known for her expertise in baking pies and making fried cakes. She enjoyed high school and SU basketball and was an avid Yankee fan. A major highlight in her life was a trip to Tampa to attend a Yankee Game in 2008.

A life-long member of the South Otselic Methodist Church, Barbara sang for many years in the choir, took an active role in many of the church fund raisers and was a member of United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Otselic Valley Grange, the Order of the Eastern Star, as well as being a proud member of DAR.

Barbara is survived by her two sons and their wives, Nelson and Lee, of Norwich, and Wesley and Nancy of North Pitcher; her son-in-law, William R. Boothby of Pittsford; seven grandchildren, Melissa Stiles Jaquay, David Boothby, Alexander W. Stiles, Amanda Stiles Barry, Kristina Stiles, Dana Stiles Giampietro and Michael Stiles; eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchilren; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Barbara was predeceased by her daughter, Rebecca Boothby who died in 1993; her brothers, Dana, Hugh and W. Dale Brown; and her sister, Marjorie B. O'Connor.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 30, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at the South Otselic United Methodist Church with Rev. Carl Johnson, pastor, officiating, assisted by Jeanne Angell. Burial will be in North Pitcher Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family will be present to receive friends at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, on Saturday, May 29, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the S. Otselic United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 47, S. Otselic, NY 13155.