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Ma Barker

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Outlaw

The Resume

    (October 8, 1873-January 16, 1935)
    Birth name is Arizona Donnie Clark
    Alleged head of Barker-Karpis gang responsible for several bank robberies, kidnappings and murders from 1931-1935
    Mother of criminals Hermann, Lloyd, Doc and Fred Barker

Why she might be annoying:

    She is said to have admired Jesse James as a child.
    J. Edgar Hoover called her a ‘veritable beast of prey.'
    She may have led one of the most notorious gangs of the 1930's.
    At the very least she sheltered brutal killers and profited from their crimes.
    She continually made excuses for her sons and accused the police of picking on them.
    She may have had her lover Arthur Dunlop killed for indiscretion about the gang's activities.
    When asked if she had organized their crime sprees, a former gang member said ‘the old lady couldn't organize breakfast.'
    She made sure her robbing and murdering sons went to church every Sunday.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Many seem to find the idea of an old lady gang leader endearing.
    She was loyal to thugs only a mother could love.
    Her husband walked out on her, leaving her to raise her children in poverty.
    She was shot to death (perhaps unintentionally) with her son Fred by the FBI for resisting arrest.
    Today many experts doubt she had any real part in the Barker-Karpis gang's criminal activities.
    Some theorize the FBI exaggerated her involvement to excuse its accidental shooting of her.
    She was portrayed by Shelley Winters in the Roger Corman film ‘Bloody Mama (1970).'

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 9 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 9 Votes: 88.89% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 19 Votes: 10.53% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 12 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 25 Votes: 44.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 25 Votes: 56.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 153 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 121 Votes: 66.94% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 20 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 69 Votes: 82.61% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 56 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 69 Votes: 73.91% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 45 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 91 Votes: 69.23% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 133 Votes: 70.68% Annoying