Former ‘Little Rascals’ actress dead at 87
Published 1:46 pm Friday, April 4, 2008
PASCAGOULA (AP) — Former child actress Mollie Mae Gottschalck Barron, who appeared in a number of “Little Rascals” films, has died at a Pascagoula, Miss. hospital at the age of 87.
Barron, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., who died Wednesday, was one of the girls who portrayed the character “Darla” in “Little Rascals” movies, according to her obituary. The daughter of two vaudeville performers, she landed the role in “Little Rascals,” which was also known as “Our Gang,” after another child actress became ill.
Barron made two “Rascals” films, including “The Haunting Ghost,” and several short films during the mid-1920s. She later became ill with chicken pox and subsequently lost her hearing, and her acting career ended.
She married T.H. Barron and the couple lived in Mobile before moving to Pascagoula.
Survivors include one son, Don Frederick Barron of Pascagoula; and six grandchildren.
Visitation will be at First Baptist Church of Pascagoula on Saturday from 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. funeral, according to O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula. Private burial on Monday will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens in Mobile.
The family suggested memorials to the deaf ministry at First Baptist Church, 902 Live Oak Ave., Pascagoula, Miss.