LARGO - Ruth L. Barringer, a businesswoman, dedicated community supporter and mother of former Florida Secretary of State Sandra Mortham, died Tuesday (Aug. 3, 2004) at Largo Medical Center. She was 74.
Born in Williamsport, Pa., Mrs. Barringer came here in 1953 with her husband, Norman L. Barringer. Together they ran a successful construction company, Barringer Builders, for about 36 years. She also owned and operated two flower shops.
Mortham said her sense of community involvement came from her mother.
"Mother's motto in life was always, "Service is the rent you pay for the space you occupy on Earth,' " Mortham said. "And, she followed this faithfully by giving back to her community and working tirelessly for a better Florida."
Mrs. Barringer's community involvement included "adopting" Mildred Helms Elementary School through the Pinellas Education Foundation. She initiated the Largo bicycle safety and bicycle education program in 1961 and organized a reading program for children at Largo Library.
She was involved in raising money for projects and causes such as the Largo Little League uniforms, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the March of Dimes and the Chamber of Commerce Education Fund.
Mrs. Barringer once directed a "Sample Fair" with proceeds going to the Largo High School Band of Gold, and chaired a fundraising project to buy and install new playground equipment at Largo's Taylor Park. She also chaired a program to implement hearing tests throughout area elementary and middle schools.
Mrs. Barringer was active in the Pinellas PTA for many years, served as a Brownie Scout Leader for several years with Troop 114 and was a charter member and first president of the Suncoast Community Woman's Club.
She was named Girl of the Year by the Largo Junior Woman's Club and in 1986, 1992 and 1993 was honored for her work in the group's annual membership drive.
In 1987, the chamber building in Largo was dedicated in honor of the Barringers. Mrs. Barringer served as chamber director from 1989-1995, and in 1994 she was named Citizen of the Year by the chamber of commerce.
She was an active member of Christ Presbyterian Church, Largo.
Mortham, whose dream as a child growing up in Largo was to practice medicine, instead found herself on a new path: politics. She went from serving on the Largo City Commission to the Florida House of Representatives and then, at the age of 43, to becoming Florida's secretary of state and the first Republican woman to serve on the Cabinet.
Along with her husband of 55 years and Mortham, Mrs. Barringer is survived by two other daughters, Karen Norton, Largo, and Carol B. McCain of Arizona and Largo; two sisters, Edna Williams and June Getgen, both of Maryland, seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Moss-Feaster Funeral Home Serenity Gardens Chapel, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the chapel, followed by burial at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater. Donations may be made to the Largo Library Foundation.
