Theodora Grubb Barco

A beautiful soul has been called to heaven, Theodora Grubb Barco, affectionately known as Teddy, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2023, in Carrollton, Georgia. This is the story of Teddy who was loved, and is missed, by many:

Teddy was born in Louisville, KY, on May 9, 1932, to parents Charles Theodore (Ted) Grubb and Margaret Blankenbaker Grubb of Jeffersontown, KY.  Teddy attended Jeffersontown High School where she played flute in the orchestra and led the cheerleader squad.  She attended the University of Kentucky and later graduated from the Kentucky Baptist School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. Teddy was a credit to the nursing profession and a blessing to the many OBGYN patients she cared for. Before Teddy graduated, she and a close friend drove to Virginia Beach for spring break where she met the love of her life, Albert (Al) Barco III.  This meeting was orchestrated by Al's mother who was a desk manager at a beach hotel.

Al and Teddy were married 45 years and raised 4 children. As Al climbed the corporate ladder, the young family relocated several times from Kentucky to Virginia, to New York, Texas, and Georgia.  Al enjoyed early retirement in 1975 and moved everyone to Shalimar, Florida. Teddy quickly acclimated to the Florida lifestyle while she continued her career in nursing, retiring from the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in 1996.  When Al's health began to fail, Teddy moved to The Villages and settled Al into a nearby nursing facility.

Teddy was devoted to Al, dutifully caring for him until his passing in 2000. Teddy thoroughly enjoyed life in The Villages. She made numerous friends, enjoyed dining out and nightly “happy hour” in The Villages Town Square.  Teddy learned to play Mahjong, took line dancing classes and participated in bowling and shuffleboard leagues.  She volunteered at Operation Shoe Box for overseas military personnel, making sure her grandson and his fellow soldiers serving in Afghanistan received boxes too. After nearly 40 years, Teddy unpacked the flute she played in high school and joined The Villages Concert Band. Teddy was a former member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sierra Club.  She later moved to Georgia to be closer to family, spending time volunteering at the local Humane Society.

Teddy is survived by her children, Albert (Barbara) Barco IV, Charles (Diane) Barco. Margaret Barco (David) Biddinger and Trudy Barco Chambers. Teddy “Mammaw” will be missed by her seven grandchildren whom she adored and was immensely proud of: Brenden Barco, Nicole and Allison Biddinger, Tyler, Austin, Zachary, and Mason Chambers.  “Mammaw” is also survived by 4 great grandchildren Carson, Charlotte, Ella and Isabelle Chambers. Teddy was preceded in death by her husband Al, parents Ted and Margaret Blankenbaker Grubb, brother Nathaniel Grubb, parents in-law Gertrude and Albert Barco Jr., son in-law Robert Chambers and granddaughter in-law Lindsy Chambers. Teddy lived a virtuous life that of love, peace, hope, justice, charity, goodness and faithfulness to others and our savior.

Teddy will be interred at Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetery in Virginia Beach, VA.  A graveside service will be held on June 12, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local Humane Society or Agape Hospice team of Georgia.

Our family would like to thank the staff at The Oaks of Carrollton, Georgia and the Agape Hospice team of Georgia for their compassion and care for our mom as she aged gracefully and with dignity. We will always cherish the memories we shared with her and will hold Teddy in our hearts forever.