Betty Ruth Adams Barr-Ausnehmer

Aiken – Mrs. Betty Ruth Adams Barr-Ausnehmer, 90, passed away Friday, March 10, 2023.

Betty was born in Saluda, SC, daughter of the late Earl W. and Winnie Bledsoe Adams. The oldest of nine children, she cherished her siblings and looked forward to the beach and mountain trips that the sisters often took. She was a homemaker, and member of Hillview Baptist Church.  She was a supporter of Samaritan’s Purse and the National Cancer Society.

After marrying the love of her life Pete Barr, she journeyed to Panama to raise four sons. She was active in the Civic Council and served a number of years as the President. She was an avid bowler, tennis player and very active in the local Baptist Church. She somehow tolerated the fact that her sons would bring home a myriad of wild animals, from snakes, lizards, monkeys, macaws, parrots and for a short time a Cayman just to name a few. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband as he fly-fished up and down the East and West coast. She never missed an opportunity to share her faith and remained active in church even after going blind.  She followed God’s commandment to love Him and to love others. She especially loved her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her daughter-in-laws, referring to them as “her” daughters. 

She is survived by her sons, Peter J. Barr, Jr., Aiken, James A. Barr, Aiken, and Sean A. (Charity) Barr, Aiken; daughter in law, Mary Lee Barr; former daughter in law, Wanda Barr, Aiken; grandchildren, James A. (April) Barr, Jr., Kristina N. Barr (Greg) Wise, Jonathan A. (Sarah) Barr, Preston E. Barr, Travis Barr, Christopher (Sophie) Barr, and Christian A. Barr; great grandchildren, Layla E. Wise, Ella L. Wise, Ryleigh Barr, and Maeve Barr; sisters, Joyce (Dewey) Brown, Shelby Jean Grice, Margaret (Bill) Williams, Judy (Marion) Frye, and Rita Malyerck (Andy Wilson); brothers, James Virgil (Joyce) Adams, and Brooks (Ginger) Adams.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband,  Peter James “Pete” Barr, Sr.; her second husband, Robert Fred Ausnehmer; a son, Robert Earl Barr; and a brother, Wyman (Edna) Adams.

The family will receive friends between 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, and the funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM Friday, March 17, 2023, at Hillview Baptist Church with the Reverend Mike McAlpin officiating.  Interment will follow in Southlawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Sean A. Barr, Peter J. Barr, James A. Barr, Jr., Preston E. Barr, Christian A. Barr, and Jonathan A. Barr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hillview Baptist Church Building Fund, 1974 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC

Betty’s online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com