Barbara O'Berry Moeller

Barbara Moeller was born in Tampa, Florida where she grew up in the same neighborhood as the man who would become her husband and the father of her five children, Donald Moeller. Barbara and Don both attended Hillsborough High School where they had many friends, including the ones that called themselves the “Buffalo Bums.”

They made their first home in Brandon, FL and were active members of the Brandon Church of Christ. Barbara taught piano and was very involved with other piano teachers in the local musicale. As a Girl Scout leader, she had a positive impact on the lives of the girls in her troop.

In 1974, she and Don moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. During the 36 years she lived in Charlotte, Barbara was actively involved in the community. She served again as a Girl Scout Leader and pursued her interest in nature, gardening, and flower arranging – especially Ikebana. She was a lifetime member of the Eastover Garden Club, a national lifetime member of the Garden Club of NC. In her role as president of the Charlotte Council of Garden Club, she helped to preserve the land now known as the Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve. She also served as its Executive Director of Ribbonwalk before it became part of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Park System. She and Don developed a number of programs incorporating his photography and her encyclopedic knowledge of nature. These programs were presented in area schools, garden clubs and other civic groups. She and Don were instrumental in the establishment of the WT Harris Boulevard Church of Christ.

At the age of 80, Barbara moved back to Tampa where she enrolled as a student at Florida College so could learn Greek and read the Bible in its original language. During her time there, she was involved in many student activities and served as an inspiration to other students and faculty as well.

Barbara spent the last few years of her life living at Steeplechase in Oxford, FL where she was once again active in the community, starting a Bible study group and making many friends.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Donald P. Moeller, and her son, Karl W. Moeller. She is survived by four children, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

A private, graveside service was held for her on Friday, December 23, in Tampa, FL.

Friends and family are invited to gather in her memory from 2:30 to 4:30 on Saturday, January 21, at the Charlotte Council of Garden Clubs, 1820 E. 7th St, Charlotte, NC.

A memorial service will be held for her at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 11, at the Brandon Church of Christ, 529 Coulter Road, Brandon, FL 33511.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve (partnersforparks.org), Florida College (floridacollege.edu), Cornerstone Hospice (web.cshospice.org) or your local Girl Scouts (girlscouts.org).