Barbara Lee Trafton

Trafton, Barbara Lee Martin ?Bob,? 101, of St. Petersburg, died Friday Dec. 16, 2005 at home under the care of her family and Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. She was born in Pineland, FL on Feb. 8th, 1904 to Henry and Minta Stafford Martin, one of the original homesteading families on Pine Island. Originally named Robbie Lee, Barbara graduated with a B.A. from Maryville College TN in 1926. She briefly taught school in Key West and worked in secretarial pools in Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit. She returned to Florida in the early 1930?s to be with her parents who had relocated to Gulfport. Barbara went to work as an administrative assistant for the Veteran?s Administration when it was housed in the Don Cesar Hotel during WWII. She followed the VA when it relocated to Bay Pines and worked there until her retirement in 1974. She met and married Leslie Edward Trafton in 1937 and settled in St. Petersburg. Sixty-year residents of the Southside, they were known in the community for their Winnebago, easily seen from 3rd Street South, and their walks around the neighborhood. In the 1960?s, along with partner Joe Press, they opened ?Rocks and Gems,? a lapidary shop that was located on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Second Street. They sold their share in 1980 and spent their retirement crossing the country in their RV. Barbara took great pride in her family history and often told stories of her adventures in Bokeelia with her sisters. With little coaxing, she would launch into an account of lost pantaloons sacrificed to the high tide and mangroves. Her granddaughters loved to sing along to ?My little Bimbo down on the Bimbo Isle.? Recently, she pulled out an old letter that purports to trace the Martin family line back to a Martin who served with General George Washington and an aunt whose sister was married to Jefferson Davis. Barbara and Les lived with their daughter Babs since 1997. Les passed away in 2002. Never one to sit idly by, Barbara read the paper daily, had an opinion on the events of the day, and voted in the last election. She constantly asked questions about computers and wanted to know all about ?this internet thing.? She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Trafton Meyer Babs, son-in-law James Meyer, and 3 granddaughters, Minta, Sarah, and Tessa Meyer, all of St. Petersburg. As per her wishes, there will be no funeral, but a celebration of life and gathering of friends will be held Monday, December 26th at 2:00 pm in Lasing Park, 20th Avenue South and Beach Drive Southeast, St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast 727 586-4432 or www.thehospice.org. Anderson-McQueen Funeral & Cremation Centers-NE St. Petersburg. Online guestbook @ www.andersonmcqueen.com