Mary Kathryn Barber

Our beloved Mary Kathryn (Kelley) Barber, born March 7, 1939, passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 8:12am from leukemia, surrounded by loved ones in her final days at Health Central Park, Winter Garden.

Kathryn was the eldest of seven children born on a farm to Pete and Inez in Alabama. As a child, the family relocated to Ocoee, Florida, where the five Kelley Girls became local legends for their beauty, vivacity, and popularity. Kathryn married Danford Euvone Barber on June 29, 1957 and had three children (Sherri, Paula, and Greg), living on Florida Ave in Winter Garden before settling in 1976 for her remaining years at their home on Merriewood Dr in Pine Hills, Orlando.

Kathryn was the matriarch of the family. With a large extended family that gathered frequently, family was everything. She enjoyed crafting, making hand sown bunnies and decorative wall hangings for all her family members. She loved to host family gatherings at their home and on their boat, and cook for an army on the holidays. Her cornbread dressing and potato salad were traditional family staples and her famous red velvet cakes are legendary to this day. She enjoyed playing diaper fairy for all the new babies in the family, always ensuring everyone had all they needed. She loved to shop and socialize, and provided for her family in every way possible. In her final years, she frequented her favorite diner (The Country House in Winter Garden) at least once a week, where her granddaughter Kristen worked. She could not get enough of their famous meatloaf and fried okra and they could not get enough of her, as they adored her and catered to her every need!

Survived by her daughters, (Sherri Lynn Spaid and Paula Maria Breeden), her grandchildren (Natasha Nolle Myers, Laura Barber, Kristen Barber, Brandon Barber, and Jessica Spaid), great-grandchildren (AraBela Chierchie and Jhonen Christensen), great-great-granddaughter (Athena Nichole Chierchie), sisters (Carolyn Gable and Joan Wilson), and brother (James Kelley). She joins those predeceased, including her husband (Danford Euvone Barber), son (Gregory Danford Barber), father and mother (JL and Inez Kelley), sisters (Judith Martin and Vicki Hayes), brother (Charles Kelley), and grandchild (Zachary Stephan).

Her passing is truly the end of an era. We were so blessed to have such an amazing woman at the helm. Kathryn was an absolute legend who will be missed dearly.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Gotha, Florida. A visitation will take place on Thursday, November 7 at 1 pm with a Celebration of Kathryn's life to follow at 2 pm and her committal at 3 pm.

Kind words and condolences for Kathryn's family can be left below under "Add a Memory."