December 26, 1933 – February 4, 2022
Barbara Lucille Barker, 88, passed away at her home in Sheridan, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday afternoon, February 4, 2022. Born in Tionesta, Pa., on December 26, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Rev. George J. and Lucille (Topping) Rennard.
Barbara attended school in Tionesta through her junior year. Her family then moved to Kilgore, Texas, where Barbara graduated with the Class of 1951. On August 8, 1953, Barbara married Marvin L. Barker, and the two of them would set off on a lifetime of adventure, side by side for the next 58 years.
Barbara loved to travel and always found work wherever she and Marvin would settle for a little bit. During their years in Texas, she hired on as a driver with Wells Fargo, and later signed on with the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport as a shuttle bus driver. This move ultimately led her into a position as a school bus driver. It wasn’t always work, work, work with Barbara; her love of animals seemed to shine wherever she was. While in Texas, she tried her hand (successfully, of course) at raising Lovebirds. In Indiana, she worked as a seamstress with Aero Drapery for over 20 years and also worked seasonally at Stuckey Farm Market, helping to handle their draft horses. And while living in Florida, she found yet another job the fit her perfectly – working in the gift shop at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla.
Barbara was artistic, and her creativity was spread across many different areas. There always seemed to be a project of some sort going on at any given time. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, and crocheting, as well as making doll clothes, and for many years, she had her own kiln and enjoyed making pottery. However, music was her specialty. She was kind of a one-man (or woman) band. From accordion to guitar, to various wind instruments, Barbara could play them all. She also loved singing in choirs, as well as playing the piano and organ for church. She was the church organist for the Sheridan First Christian Church for many years.
Barbara was deeply devoted to her family; however, she was also extremely committed to practical jokes, and what better target than family and friends. Her longstanding household joke was to set all the clocks in her house to different times (usually five to 10 minutes apart) so that they would constantly be chiming throughout the day. She loved watching the confused looks on the grandchildren’s faces. Another favorite was Barbara’s little sample bottle. She always carried around her bottle of miniature milk stools, and never missed an opportunity to ask if anyone needed to see them. Her favorite targets were doctors and nurses. “I brought a stool sample if you need one” – followed by a look of uncertainty as to what might get pulled from her purse – and an eye roll and sigh from whoever accompanied her to her appointment.
Barbara was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother whose strong faith and love for her family is a legacy that will carry on for generations.
Barbara is survived by sons, John Barker (Tracy) of Sheridan, Kenneth Barker (Bobbie) of Franklin, Pa., and Jason Barker of Sheridan; daughters, Teressa Fisher of Thorntown, Marlene Pettigrew of Sheridan, Donella Corlett (Mike) of Sheridan, and Wanda Wright (Charles) of Sheridan; many grandchildren and a multitude of great-grandchildren; sisters, Lois Thompson of Oklahoma, and Sharon Sowders of Atlanta, Ga.; brother-in-law, John P. Barker (Phyllis) of Kirbyville, Mo.; sisters-in-law, Vera Barker and Connie Hambrick-Rennard; many nieces and nephews; and her Canine BFF and grand-furbaby, Koko.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, George Rennard and Ron Rennard; brothers-in-law and sisters-in law; Ruth Anna Roberts and husband Leon, Rowena Barker, Esta Mae Hunter and husband Charles, Meredith Barker and wife Lillian, Don Barker and wife Hilda, and Maurice Barker; son-in law, Phillip Fisher; her grand-furbaby, Shep; and by her loving husband, Marvin Lester Barker, on April 24, 2012.
Services will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with Visitation from 4 p.m. until the time of service.
Pastor Rich Barker and Pastor Jeremiah Barker will be officiating.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com