Coroner: Heart condition likely caused Carol Barr’s death. Andy Barr seeks prayer.
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr asked for prayers Wednesday following the sudden death of his wife, Eleanor Carol Leavell Barr, at their Lexington home Tuesday night at the age of 39.
“At this time of tremendous grief and pain, we ask for prayers for our beautiful, dear and precious Carol, the greatest, most selfless and giving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend anyone could ever have.,” Barr said in a statement released by his office.
“We also ask for love and prayers for Carol’s greatest legacy — her loving and devoted daughters Eleanor and Mary Clay — through whom Carol’s extraordinary life, high character and irrepressible spirit will continue,” he said. “In this moment of profound grief and heartbreak, we are so grateful for the gift and blessing of Carol’s life, for her strong faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for the comfort of fond memories and her victory in heaven and for all those who have surrounded Carol’s family, the girls and I with beautiful expressions of love, compassion and sympathy.”
The Fayette County Coroner’s office said Carol Barr died at 6:55 p.m. Tuesday. The preliminary autopsy findings listed the cause of death as mitral valve prolapse, or floppy valve syndrome. That means the valve between the heart’s upper and lower left chambers doesn’t close properly.
The website for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Md., said the condition doesn’t cause any problems much of the time. Rarely, blood can leak the wrong way through the floppy valve. This can lead to heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain and other symptoms.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Milward’s Funeral Directors.
Barr’s office announced the death late Tuesday night
Carol Barr grew up in Georgetown and went to the University of Kentucky where she majored in communications and information. The couple married in 2008. She worked for Pfizer and previously served as the executive director for the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship in Lexington.
Commerce Lexington Inc. , through spokesman Mark E. Turner, said Wednesday in a statement, “Well before Congressman Barr’s run for office, both Andy and Carol were always very engaged in our community, and each is a graduate of Commerce Lexington Inc.’s Leadership Lexington program —Andy in 2007 and Carol in 2010.”
Carol Barr also was a member of the University of Kentucky College of Information National Advisory Board.
Statements of condolence from Kentucky politicians began pouring in Tuesday night.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he and his wife, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, were “stunned” and “heartbroken” at the news.
“Her warmth filled whatever room she entered and her contributions made Kentucky a better place for all of us,” McConnell said in the statement. “And to Eleanor and Mary Clay, Carol was a wonderful role model and source of constant love. We send our sincere condolences to Andy, their family and his staff at this terribly painful time.”
Ryan Quarles, Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner, said he grew up in Georgetown with Barr and that his brother graduated the same year as her. He called her a “kind and generous person.”
“She was a true Kentuckian,” Quarles said. “She loved our state and always had a smile on her face.”
Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, said the House Republicans joined Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo, D-Lexington, in offering condolences to the family.
“Carol was an accomplished woman and business professional,” Osborne said. “A devoted friend, and a kind and giving person, she was an unlimited partner in Congressman Barr’s service to this commonwealth. However, above all else, Carol was a loving wife and mother.”
Gov. Andy Beshear said he and First Lady Britainy Beshear were “heartbroken” by the sad news.
Mac Brown, chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky, said “our hearts go out to the Barr family at this tragic news,”
“While there are no words that can heal the pain of losing a loved one, we pray together that God will comfort Congressman Andy Barr, their daughters, and the entire family through this very difficult time,” Brown said.
Sen. Rand Paul said his heart was heavy.
“Kelley and I offer our deepest condolences to Rep. Andy Barr, his two daughters, family, and friends,” Paul wrote on Twitter. “Please join us in praying for them during this incredibly difficult time.”
Rep. James Comer, R-Tompkinsville, said he and his wife were “devastated.” Treasurer Allison Ball said she was “heartbroken.”
Amy McGrath, Barr’s former opponent in the Sixth Congressional District, said she was keeping Barr’s family in her prayers.
“While we were political competitors, we are Kentuckians first,” McGrath said. “I hope they feel the love of many and we wish him great strength during this very trying time.”
Andy Barr is currently running for reelection in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District. Josh Hicks, Barr’s likely Democratic opponent in the fall, called the death “unimaginable.”
“While we may disagree politically, we’re both family men and I can’t fathom the pain he must be experiencing right now,” Hicks said.
Hicks announced Wednesday that he will “pause all public events and pull down all advertising out of respect for Congressman Andy Barr and his family.”
Daniel Kemph of Lexington also is in the June 23 Democratic primary election for the 6th District. Republican challengers against Barr are Chuck Eddy and Geoff Young, both of Lexington. Frank Harris of Lexington is running as a Libertarian.
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 12:44 PM with the headline "Coroner: Heart condition likely caused Carol Barr’s death. Andy Barr seeks prayer.."
