Born October 25, 1935 in Cherokee, Oklahoma
Departed January 4, 2024 in Palm Bay, Florida
Donna Yvonne Barr, 88, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2024 in Palm Bay, Florida. She was born on October 25, 1935 in Cherokee, Oklahoma to Everett and Dilla Hadwiger. In 1958 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Family Relations and Child Development from Oklahoma State University and married Bill Barr (Dover, Oklahoma). Donna was an elementary school teacher for 5 years before settling down in Lexington, Kentucky in 1964 where she and Bill lived for 40 years while he taught at Lexington Theological Seminary and they raised two children (Greg and Jennifer).
She was active at Crestwood Christian Church and volunteered with Helping Hands providing support to Alzheimer’s patients. She enjoyed traveling and lived for a year each in England, California and Costa Rica as part of Bill’s sabbatical years with the Seminary. After Bill retired in 1997, they spent time in Sebring, Florida before moving to Palm Bay in 2004. She was active at First Christian Church Melbourne and they volunteered at Daily Bread and Meals on Wheels.
Donna showed compassion and care for friends and church members, often sending encouragement by hand-written note cards and visiting. She was interested in people and would strike up a friendly conversation with anyone she met. She liked reading, taking walks and observing the beauty of God’s natural world: sunrises and sunsets, flowers and birds.
Donna is survived by son Greg; daughter Jennifer Morgan (Todd) and grandsons Tyler and Carson; brother Jim Hadwiger (Rozella) and sister Sandra Skinner and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Bill Barr and infant daughter Suzanne Marie Barr; parents Everett Arthur Hadwiger and Dilla Francis Hadwiger.
Services will be held Saturday, January 27 at 11 am at First Christian Church Melbourne, 2010 S. Babcock Street, Melbourne, Florida 32901.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to First Christian Church Melbourne.
8 entries.
Callie Price
from Lexington wrote on February 1, 2024:
Donna was a kind soul. Even after her and Bill moved to Florida, she would contact my grandparents and parent to check in to see how we are doing, even sending birthday cards. The world lost a beautiful soul, but we will always cherish the memories. Rest easy Donna ❤️
Sice Shanklin
from Lexington wrote on February 1, 2024:
Jennifer and Greg- I’m so very sorry to learn of your Mom’s passing. She was always such a sweet and gentle soul and I’m so proud to have known her…
Liz Fulkerson
from Lexington wrote on February 1, 2024:
She was a wonderful, gentle soul. She and my mother in law were the best of friends while they were raising their children, my husband being one of those. She and Bill were both so kind to me, genuinely interested in what was going on in our lives and they are responsible for "taking us to church" when they invited us to Crestwood. I will be forever grateful for that. Rest in eternal peace, Donna.
Dore
from Melbourne wrote on January 27, 2024:
I knew Donna and Bill for many years. They were a very caring couple and active at church in many ways. I enjoyed serving lunch at Daily Bread with them as well! Donna is now reunited with her Bill! Rest in peace Donna. 🙏
Mary McCauley
from Huntsville wrote on January 21, 2024:
Condolences from the McCauley and Smith Family 🌹🌹
Trudi
from Charlestown Indiana wrote on January 17, 2024:
Donna was the type of person you wished you could be. We had some great times at Womens Fellowship at First Christian Church.
She will be missed by all who knew her. Rest in peace Donna.
Butch & Dottie Whiteford
from MELBOURNE wrote on January 16, 2024:
We met Bill & Donna many years ago when we became members of FCCM. She had the best sense of humor. That quite quick one. I attended many a ladies meeting with her. You could tell this woman loved people. They were a couple everyone wanted to be like. Know she will be missed by many friends and family. Rest In Peace. God has gained another angel.
Pat and Connie Kelley
from Sewanee wrote on January 16, 2024:
Wish we could be present to remember so many shared experiences that remain so important to us. She is at peace.
Born October 25, 1935 in Cherokee, Oklahoma