Kay Gardner Barr

1938 - 2025

Kay Gardner Barr

March 31, 1938 - August 15, 2025

Kay Gardner Barr, age 87, went to her heavenly home on August 15, 2025.

Kay grew up in Danville, VA, the daughter of James Blair Gardner and Frances Alexander Gardner, whose godly lives nurtured her faith in Christ. Her family's participation in Danville's First Baptist Church was the main focus of their lives. It was at a church youth camp where Kay met her future husband, Jim. At First Baptist, she was active as a choir member, soloist and Sunday School teacher.

Kay and Jim were blessed with nearly 62 years of marriage until Jim's passing in 2018. Their home was a lively gathering place for their three children, Deborah, Susan, and Al, along with an amazing host of family pets.

One of Kay's greatest joys was sharing God's love through music. Her voice blessed countless lives with comfort, consolation and inspiration, glorifying and praising God and encouraging the hearers to draw nearer to their Creator. As choir director, she served Calvary United Methodist Church in Danville for eight years, The Baptist Tabernacle for four years, and was a guest soloist for meetings and churches in several states and Canada. In 1971, she travelled to St. Louis, MO to sing at the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1991, as a representative for Baptist Missions, she toured the nation of Kazakhstan, sharing God's love in song.

During the 1970's, Kay became part of Women's Aglow, serving on the board of the Danville chapter. These Bible Studies emphasized God's love for women and encouraged them to embrace their God-given identity and purpose. Another enriching experience and fond memory for Kay during this time was teaming with Dr. Ernest Wasing, retired cellist from the Vienna Symphony, to present original compositions by his wife, Gina, in memory of her sister who died in the Holocaust.

Pets of all kinds, especially dogs, were always a part of the Barr family. Raising St. Bernards was a fun and rewarding part of family life, and Kay's piano and voice students were often warmly greeted by Teddy, the family beagle.

Jim's career in commercial construction involved several moves after the children were grown. When they moved to Norfolk, Kay presented songs of faith for a local TV station, accompanied by Ray Robinson, talented pianist and long time family friend from Danville. It was also in Norfolk that she attended Old Dominion University, fulfilling a long time desire to study Hebrew.

After moving to Richmond, Jim and Kay were devoted members of First Baptist Church, faithfully attending and sitting on the third pew every Sunday. They were vital parts of the Catalyst Prayer Group that met on Wednesday evenings and Kay participated in the Women's Missionary Union there. The joy and love of Jesus always permeated her life.

In addition to her parents, Kay was preceded in death by her beloved son-in-law, the Reverend Dr. John E. Miller. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Deborah Miller, Susan Barr, and James A. (Al) Barr and his wife, Megan. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Christopher Boswell (Megan), Blair Magnano (Bobby), Jonathan Vaught, Benjamin Vaught (Katie), Amanda Rachelle Barr (Erik Simpson), Laura Barr-Jones (Patrick Jones), and Christina Barr (Jesse Perrault); and eight great-grandchildren, Julia Boswell, Bryce and Barrett Lawson, Talia, Ben and Henry Vaught, and Eliot and Gwennaelle Fourquemin.

The family will gather in the Adams Room at First Baptist Church to welcome friends beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, followed by a memorial celebration of Kay's life in the First Baptist Chapel at 3 p.m. Gifts in remembrance of Kay may be made to First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave., Richmond, VA or to her son Al's church, Central Baptist Church, 1922 Buckhorn Rd., Mebane, NC.

"We fix our eyes on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 1 Corinthians 4:18.