Barbara “Barb” Lee (Gimlin) Appleford was born Dec. 30, 1950, in Pullman to Kendry and Ellen (Dawson) Gimlin. She passed at her home near Anatone on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Barb moved to Tammany at an early age when her parents purchased a ranch. Barb and her sisters learned the love of horseback riding when their grandfather purchased them two ponies. The family moved to Jacques Spur (near Culdesac) just prior to her entering the first grade. She attended all 12 years of school at Culdesac. She was active in the drill team, band and sports while in high school. Outside of school she was devoted to 4-H. Her love of the agricultural lifestyle was very evident as she enjoyed showing cattle and horses. 4-H provided her the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., on a Citizenship Tour which crossed the United States by bus, taking in visits with other 4-H-ers in many states. During the years of school, she developed close friendships with classmates which remained through her lifetime. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Lewis-Clark State College, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education.
She married Tom Appleford on Sept. 29, 1973, in Clarkston. They farmed the family ranch on Montgomery Ridge, near Anatone. She was active on the farm in addition to helping raise their three sons. While the boys were in school, she was the typical school mom, going to the sporting events, near and far. 4-H again played an important factor in her adult life, being a leader for the boys’ livestock club and becoming active with the Asotin County Fair. As the boys entered high school, they joined FFA, where she served different roles in support, accompanying them on trips, helping make enchiladas or helping with other fundraisers. This involvement with the youth and agriculture led her to be a 4-H leader for 42 years all the while in Asotin County and serving as a member of the Asotin County Fair Board for 15 years, serving until her death. As the grandchildren grew, she attended their sporting events and livestock fairs.
She was preceded in passing by her parents; sister, Mary Ellen Gimlin; grandparents, Howard and Olive Gimlin and William and Lutie Dawson; brother-in-law, Larry Ashley; nephew Dru Gimlin; in-laws, Edison and Mary Appleford and brother-in-law Rob Appleford.
She is survived by her husband Tom and their sons, Cody (Nikki), Cory (Michele) and Chance (Ariel); seven grandchildren: Baylee, Kinzey, Payten, Porter, Paycee, Allie and Rykan; and two great-grandchildren; sister, Vicki Ashley and brother Richard (Mikki) and their three children.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Anatone Community Hall, with a potluck dinner. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Asotin County 4-H Scholarship Fund.
