Willanell Barger

Willanell Barger, 93, passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2019 in the Hospice Center of Chattanooga. From her birth in Stonewall Oklahoma on April 28, 1926, to her death on Saturday, she bestowed unconditional love upon others and carried an enthusiasm for life that made everyone around her better. She was born to parents Hobart and Lillian Woody and had two brothers, Kenneth McKeldan Woody and Zane Grey Woody. Nell, as she was known, graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1945 and took a job working for the FBI in Washington D.C. When she returned to Cleveland in 1947, she attended the National School of Business before accepting a job at the Dixie Foundry Company. After that, she began work at Lakeside Elementary School in Chattanooga. There she worked for 36 years as a secretary before retiring. Her time served at the school was her proudest professional accomplishment. In 1949, she married the love of her life John William Barger. It was love at first sight for the two of them and they carried that with them through 55 years of marriage. They had two daughters, Elaine and Janet. Together they made family their top priority and always took care of everyone in need, whether it be family or strangers. Nell had many hobbies. She was a lifetime member of the Tennessee Congress of Parents and Teachers. She loved to read and was very interested in the arts. She studied genealogy and was very interested in family heritage. She collected and traded antiques. She was a volunteer at the church. Nell loved sports. She grew up playing softball and basketball. So well in fact, that she was voted into the Bradley County Old Timers Hall of Fame for her excellence in both sports. Her beloved husband John was a ball player himself. What she loved most was her family. Whether it was making lunch, having everyone over for the holidays, or spending time with her great grandchildren, she filled the room with love and enthusiasm. She will be missed by all that knew her. We love you. She is survived by her daughter Janet Barger; son-in law Larry Rainey; grandchildren John Robert Dickert, Rachel (Charlie) Stone, Jason Rainey, Luke Rainey, and Seth Rainey; great grandchildren Maggie Hurst, John Paul Hurst, and Sam Stone. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga at: hospiceofchattanooga.org/ or to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at: stjude.org A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Barger Cemetery. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway. Please share your memories at: ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com