MaeBelle Barger

MaeBelle was born March 29, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, to William Robert Reynolds and Elsie Mae Reynolds. She was married to Henry Kenneth Barger on August 23, 1957, for 68 wonderful years.

MaeBelle was the only child of deaf parents. After raising her family, her life’s work was helping the deaf. She became a certified deaf interpreter and interpreted for such dignitaries and celebrities as Queen Elizabeth II, President Ronald Reagan, President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and comedian Red Skelton. MaeBelle acted as Director of Deaf Services Hillsborough County for twenty years and advocated tirelessly for the rights of the deaf.

MaeBelle was a devout lover of animals, especially dogs, and cared for so many over the years. She passed this love of animals on to all her children.

MaeBelle is preceded in death by her parents William Robert Reynolds and Elsie Mae Reynolds. She is survived by her loving husband, Henry Kenneth Barger; children: Kelly D. Karger, Robert D. Barger and Patti J. Driggers and husband Timothy; grandchildren: Shelly L. Osten, Ed.D. and husband Jeremy, Robert R. Smith and wife Jennifer, Sheavon F. Holm and husband Matthew, Leanne M. Hinson and husband Weston, and Zachary Driggers; great-grandchildren: Nicholas Osten, Braden Osten, Taylor Smith, Chaning Smith, Brooks Smith, and Ava Warner; and, of course, her two Chihuahuas, Oso and Rosy.