LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Being the spouse of a politician is not an easy job, but to those who knew Carol Barr, she made it look easy and did it with class and grace.
“Her elegance is cited over and over again by many people,” said Former Kentucky Secretary of State and LEX 18 Political Analyst Bob Babbage. “She just had a very positive way about her—tremendous popularity and likeability. And competence,” Babbage continued.
If Babbage didn’t know about her competence level before, he learned while serving as a board member on the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship, which Carol Barr directed.
“Her work is widely hailed for making that a success,” Babbage said.
Barr graduated from the University of Kentucky and served on the advisory board for the school’s College of Communication and Information. Over the years, she held posts as a media account executive and health insurance representative. More recently, her devotion to her husband Andy’s political career helped him secure numerous reelections in Kentucky 6th Congressional District.
“My heart breaks for Andy because his life won’t ever be the same,” said Carol Russell, a neighbor of the Barr’s who became fast friends with Carol because of her outgoing nature.
“She was young enough to be my daughter, but it didn’t matter to her,” Russell said, “she made friends wherever she went.”
Several of Barr’s colleagues and rivals in Washington took the time to send their condolences. Closer to home, those who knew her well were having a hard time coming to terms with the news.
“It’s unimaginable to be having this conversation about a woman who was so committed to her family and her community,” Babbage said.
