Frances Barger

Frances Geneva Heine Barger, 89, of Waco died May 16, 2021 at a local nursing center. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, May 24, 2021 at Waco Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Bob Rainey officiating.

Frances was born December 25, 1931, to Frederick and Katherine Mueller Heine in Axtell, Texas. Frances was the youngest of 12 children, and was a graduate of La Vega High School, where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team.

Frances lived in Alaska for a period of time, where she met and married Thomas “Tom” Lee Barger. The couple lived in Ohio, North Carolina, and Oklahoma before settling in Waco and raising their family. Frances enjoyed square dancing, and singing in the choir at Central United Methodist Church. She retired from American Income Life Insurance Company after 22 years of service.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, former husband (Tom), eight sisters (Dorothy “Dora” Pate, Alvine Beheler, Agnes Landfried, Bertha Ellis, Anna Wedemeyer, Hattie Beheler, Marguerite Stephens, and Juanita Carter), 3 brothers (Arthur Heine, Marvin Heine, and Karl Heine), son (Thomas “Tom” Lee Barger II), and great-grandson (Jett Williams).

Frances’s legacy of joyful living, loving, caring, and serving continues through those who survive her including son, Karl Barger and his wife, Karen Barger, of Flower Mound, Texas; her daughter, Sue Sowder, and her husband, Bob Sowder, of Hewitt, Texas; and daughter-in-law, Jan Barger, of Waco, Texas.

Frances is also survived by 7 grandchildren (Zachary Barger, Hannah Barger, Grayson Barger, Melody Sowder, Jacob Sowder, Jennifer Williams and her husband, Harold Williams, and Jonathan Barger), great-grandson (West Williams), and many nieces & nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Regent Care at Woodway and Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Central United Methodist Church, Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Hospice or a charity of your choice.