Judith Barger

Judy Barger went to be with her Lord, Sunday, December 13, 2009, in Lakeland, Florida. 
 
Born Judith Ann Morton on May 19, 1940 in Cincinnati, Ohio, her family moved to Tennessee during her preschool years and Signal Mountain remained her home until she married. After attending public school, she attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and graduated in 1962. While in school, she met and married Lewis L. Barger, Jr. in 1963. She left Tennessee shortly thereafter, returning only to visit. She and her family lived in eight states from Florida to Oregon and the country of Iran.  They settled in Lakeland, Florida in 1985 after finally finding a place they wanted to stay.
 
Judy was active in local churches throughout her life in each place she lived. She led small groups, women’s Bible studies, played piano and directed choirs until the most recent years. She knitted blankets for newborns of family and friends across the country as part of a special ministry. Ever gracious, seemingly fearless and always optimistic, she knitted the blankets even while soldiering through her own physical trials. Children all over the country treasure the blankets they received.
 
Judy joined the Polk Museum of Art in 1986 and spent many years as the Deputy Director, serving as Interim Director twice during her tenure. She was involved in many committees at the museum, was a major contributor to the book, PMOA @ 43, a history of the museum. She was a member of the Board of Trustees, and coordinated the “Mayfair by the Lake” outdoor art show for many years.
 
She is survived by her husband; her sons, Maj. Lewis L. Barger, III and his wife Judy of Germantown, MD, and Robert Stephen Barger and his wife Kate of Cleveland, OH; her granddaughter Anna Louise; her brother, Dr. Robert A. Morton and wife Gwen of Austin, TX, and many nieces and nephews.
 
Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, December 17 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 301 N. Florida Ave., with the funeral service following immediately at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery, with a family graveside service.
 
Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2161 East 540A, Box 235, Lakeland, FL 33813, in her memory.