Barbara M. (Boo) Gaines

Barbara Macfarland (Boo) Gaines, 59, of Swannanoa, passed away suddenly on Thursday, November 22, 2007, at her home. A native of Buncombe County, she was a daughter of the late Robin Adair and Olive Newton Macfarland. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Richard L. Gaines, who died in 1999, and by a brother, Robert L. Macfarland. Boo lived most of her life in Florida but moved back to the Swannanoa Valley in 1999 to be closer to her family. A craftsperson and artist, she was a former member of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild and a retired boater out of the Florida Keys. Boo loved being on the ocean with the wind at her back, the sun on her face and a world of possibilities before her. She was a lover of animals, both great and small, and never met a stranger. She was known to help anyone that needed it. A 36 year breast cancer survivor, Boo touched many lives and left a trail of smiles, hope and laughter wherever she went. One thing that can be said about Boo was that she lived more and loved more than most. Survivors include her children, Tammy Macfarland and Chastity Glenn of Swannanoa, Scott and Ann Gaines of Lakeland, FL and Tracey and Brad Nicholas of Eagle River, AK; her sisters, Betty Miller and family of Norfolk, VA, Janet Morris and family of Black Mountain, Jo-Anna Moody and family of Highland Village, TX, Sandi Halstead and family of Asheville; a brother, Eugene Macfarland and family of Astor, FL; grandchildren, Ryan J. Nicholas of Eagle River and Hayli L. Gaines of Lakeland and too many friends and loved ones to list. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm Tuesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue with Pastor Sonia Burleson officiating. Her family will greet friends following the service and at other times will be at the home of Janet Morris, 392 Cragmont Road, Black Mountain. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 505 East Blvd., Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28203.