Barbara Lyall Faulkner

Barbara Lyall Faulkner, age 87, left us peacefully February 17, 2026, on Mardi Gras/Lunar New Year/Ramadan. We think she chose this date, because she was always the light in a room, an inspiration to those around her, and a woman who found meaning and comfort in her faith.

Born November 13, 1938, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, she was the beloved daughter of Miriam (Decker) Lyall and Alexander James Lyall (both deceased). She was a graduate of Media High School in Media, PA, and after high school she worked at Sun Oil Company in Marcus Hook, PA. In 1962, Barbara married Harold Moore Faulkner, and they moved to the Atlanta metro area in 1970 where they built a life rich with family, friends, and community.

Barbara was a woman of faith. She was part of the Episcopal Altar Guild in PA, a member of Briarcliff Methodist Church in DeKalb, a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Lithonia, and most recently, a member of Glenwood Hills Baptist Church in Lithonia where she taught Sunday school for many years.

Miss Barbara was generous, creative, and loved fiercely. She volunteered in the DeKalb County school system for many years, tutoring, working as a parent professional, and offering her creative talents by making ceramic art with scores of students. She was a person who deeply listened to others without judgment, so many told her their troubles. She baked her hot milk sponge cake for teacher appreciation day and for neighbors and friends and knit baby blankets and sweaters for anyone in her circle of friends and acquaintances. She was president of the Lithonia High School band boosters and the Parent Teacher Association. She worked for years at the polls, because she felt that voting was an important right and responsibility. Barbara’s legacy is one of community service, kindness, and making connections. Those who knew her felt loved, supported, and valued because of her generous and kind spirit.

Above all, Nanny (as her children called her) was a fierce advocate for her children and grandchildren--biological and those she worked with in the community. She was an amazing mother to her three children and a bonus mother to many others.

Along with her loving husband, Harold, Barbara is survived by her sister Janice Ridings, her brother-in-law Edwin Faulkner, sister-in-law Amy Stifel-Faulkner, son Harold Faulkner, daughter Sandra Faulkner, son William Faulkner, son-in-law Joshua Atkinson, daughters-in-law Daphnne (Grainger) Faulkner and Claire McNeiland, son-in-law Joshua Atkinson, and 6 grandchildren (Baylon, Arlen, Gillian, Landon, Cyrus, and Miriam).

A celebration of life for Barbara will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Henry Funeral Home, Lithonia, GA.