Barbourville, Ky. – Retha Mae Bargo, age 85, passed away February 13, 2025. Retha was the daughter of Gilbert Bargo and Axie Mills Bargo, joyfully born to them on March 17, 1939, in Blanche, Kentucky (Bell County, Kentucky).
Retha was a kind woman of the Baptist faith. She kept a welcoming home for family and friends alike. Retha loved to have a good time. She enjoyed shopping with her sisters, getting her hair done, watching game shows, and cheering for the University of Kentucky basketball team. Retha will be remembered fondly by all who knew and loved her.
Left behind to mourn Retha’s passing is her brother Eugene Bargo of Barbourville, Kentucky, sisters Barbara Sue Bargo Beheler (Kenneth) of Taylor, Michigan, and Dorothy Jean Gabbard (Jerry) of Woodbine, Kentucky, and brother-in-law Esco Smith. A host of dear nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews also survive Retha: nieces Joanne Pauley (Perry), Rhonda Cone (Dennis), Erika Gibson (Kevin), Brittany Hale (Jason), Tiffany Gabbard, and Katelyn Dean (Tristin); nephews Larry Moore, Sean Smith (Patricia), Donnie Bargo; great nieces Sierra Smith, Savannah Cone, Isabella Cone, Penelope Hale, Lainey Hale, Autumn Dean, Sophia Dean, and Emma Gibson; and great nephews Perry Michael Pauley (Michelle), Ethan Cone, and Jason Rodney Hale.
Retha was preceded in death by her parents Gilbert and Axie Bargo; brothers Leon Bargo and Donald Ray Bargo; and sisters Gelois Bargo Fetters, Lula Bargo Smith, Alene Bargo, Eselene Bargo, and Irene Bargo. Four beloved nephews, Mark Steven Smith, Benjamin Moore, Ronald Bargo, and Ricky Bargo and one great niece, Angela Freiderich, also preceded Retha in death.
The Bargo family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM. Reverend Darrel Bargo will officiate. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Barbourville Cemetery, Barbourville, Kentucky. Casket Bearers are cherished family and friends.
The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home, Mr. Robin Reese, Mrs. Lorena Blankenship, Mr. Reid Brewer, and Mrs. Brenda Johnson, express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Retha Mae Bargo.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Retha Mae Bargo.
