Barbara Anderson Head

Dr. Barbara Anderson Head, 72, peacefully joined her heavenly father at home surrounded by her family on Monday, January 23, 2023 after a hard fought battle with cancer that spanned many years. She faced cancer head on with grace and determination and was an inspiration to many along her journey.

Barbara was born on August 25, 1950 to Charles D. Lane and Doris K. Lane in Louisville, KY. Barbara attended Eastern High School (1969) and then worked to put herself through college at Union College in Barbourville, KY. This began her long and varied career that spanned social work, nursing, research and teaching but always focused on service to others. She went on to get her Masters in Social Work, then became a Registered Nurse (RN), and eventually earned a PhD in Social Work from the University of Louisville.

Her professional achievements were just as significant as her educational achievements. She began her career as a social worker working with at risk youth before transitioning to assisting families as they coped with the death of loved ones when Barbara became a Hospice nurse and eventually worked in administration at Hospice of Louisville (now Hosparus). From there she moved to her next chapter in teaching and research at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and Kent School of Social Work using her background to teach future social workers on end-of-life care including teaching classes in Malaysia and India. She served on many boards and committees including as both board member and president of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) and the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) and as a member of the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN) board of directors. And even as busy as she was professionally, she still found time to teach children’s Sunday School classes at Hurstbourne Baptist Church where she was a long-time member of over 35 years. All her accolades aside, her greatest accomplishment was her love for her Lord and for all to know Him.

Barbara leaves behind a large family that will all miss her very much. She was proceeded in death by her parents, and her first husband Thomas J. Anderson. She is survived by her loving husband, Carl T. Head, Jr.; her children John Anderson (Lauren), and Carl T. Head III/Trey (Samantha); her step-daughters Tammy Hamilton (Glenn), and Jennifer Davis; her brother Earl D. Lane; and seventeen grandchildren. Barbara adored her family and she and Carl enjoyed taking the entire group on regular vacations to Lake Michigan, The Smokey Mountains, and Hilton Head. Traveling the world was always a passion for Barbara even if she had to sometimes drag Carl along for the ride.

The family would like to give thanks to Hosparus and the caregivers that assisted Barbara near the end along with the Brown Cancer Center for their guidance on her cancer journey. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Hosparus (www.hosparushealth.org).