Mary Christine Simmons Barger, age 87, of 216 Barger Farm Lane, Eagle Rock, Virginia, died Monday, April 27, 2009 at The Woodlands Nursing Home, Clifton Forge.

Born April 5, 1922 in Botetourt County, Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Edward Thomas Simmons and Ursula Lurena Sizer Simmons.

She was a homemaker throughout her life, and a loving mother and special grandmother who took pride in her four grandchildren, and devoted much of her life to caring for and playing with them.

She was an active member of Bethel United Methodist Church for many years, and was active in all facets of church activities. She also was was an avid gardener.

In addition to her late parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Givens Barger in 1983; a brother, Norman Edward Simmons; and a sister-in-law, Beulah McCoy Simmons.

She is survived by a daughter, Norma Hall and husband, Robert of Eagle Rock; a son, Gary Barger and wife, Rosa of Covington; four grandchildren: Tracy Semler and husband. David, Brent Barger, Lauren Hall, and Rebecca Hall, and a number of special close nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday at 11:00 aa.m. in Bethel United Methodist Church, Botetourt County, with Reverend Ray Sandifer officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Bobby Tolley, Johnny Kern, Marvin White, Joseph Golibart, David Semler, Brent Barger, and Richard Thompson.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, and other times at the residence of Norma and Robert Hall, 270 Barger Farm Lane, Eagle Rock, VA. If you so choose, the family suggests memorial contributions take the form of contributions to Bethel United Methodist Church, C/O Barbara Kern, 22643 Botetourt Road, Eagle Rock, VA 24085.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, is in charge of arrangements.