Myrtle Barber

Myrtle (Donna) Barber, 98 years old, passed away December 29th, at her daughter's home in Lafayette, Oregon, surrounded by loved ones.
Myrtle was born August 31, 1926 in Ballston, Oregon to Viola and Frank Smart. She was named Donna Mae by her mother and midwife, Mae Gould, but her father named her Vivian Myrtle. She was called Myrtle and didn't know her legal name was Donna Mae until she was married. She grew up in the Ballston area and was always busy as they lived on a farm and her mother took her to fields and orchards to pick prunes or hops at an early age. During her teens, she spent a year in Santa Barbara, CA with her father's sister Myrtle and Frank Adams. She enjoyed going to school there until she was called back to Oregon by her mother to work. Later she worked at the Dime Store in Tillamook where she met Ray Barber. She and Ray were married on October 11, 1944. That was a special day as his parents were celebrating their 25th anniversary. At first they lived in Carlton then moved to Willamina where Ray and his family built their home.
Myrtle was very involved in her children's activities as well as civic and community work. While she raised her 4 children she also was active as a serving member of the Willamina Christian Church. Other activities were: Room mother at the Grade School, working in the cafeteria, writing for four newspapers (Willamina Times, Sheridan Sun, News Register in McMinnville and the Salem Capital Journal.) She was a member of the Garden Club and co-founder of the Civic Club. She helped with the March of Dimes, Goodwill and took the census as well. She also worked with Home Extension for many years. As we got older she became our Brownie, Cub Scout, Girl Scout and Boy Scout leaders all at the same time! From age 19 until she was 90 she was caretaker of the Willamina Cemetery Records. She and Ray took care of the cemetery grounds, mowing and caring for it. We have great memories of putting the Veterans' flags on their graves for the Veterans' Day celebration each year. She worked as Spencer's hardware and was Chaplain of the VFW Auxiliary for many years. Being selected as Grand Marshall of the July 4th Parade in Willamina was a great honor. She enjoyed camping with the family often and she and Ray travelled to Canada, Alaska, Minnesota, Quartzsite, Yuma and many National Parks. She remained an active member of the Willamina Christian Church until she moved to McMinnville in 2017 and attended Valley Baptist Church.
Myrtle is survived by her daughters Judi McDaniel of Lafayette, Donna (Art) Bush of Pengilly, Minnesota; her sons Vernon of McMinnville and John of Willamina, ten grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 14 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, son-in-law Manon McDaniel, grandson Ray McDaniel and great grandson Quentin Gerig, sister Jo Nunley, brothers Virgil, James, and Marion Thomas.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 11th at 11:00am, at Valley Baptist Church (2631 NE McDonald Lane, McMinnville, OR).