Roaring River Miss Grace Flora Barker, age 94, of Roaring River, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2009 at her residence. Miss Barker was born December 19, 1914 in Wilkes County to Rev. Benjamin Harrison & Bertha Angeline Pruitt Barker. Miss Barker was a member of Benham Baptist Church and was a unique person with a sharp mind. She was a scholar being involved in spelling bees in school. She enjoyed local radio trivia, where she won many prizes. Miss Barker was a self trained musician with an alto voice and also played organ and piano. She was a giving person providing long term care for her father, mother and sister. All of her siblings and well as nieces and nephews looked to her as a second mother. During WWII, she worked in the field and with dairy cows, did housework, cooking, and was a great gardener. Miss Barker was a model for love as described in Corinthians: Love is patient, kind, slow to anger, long suffering, non boastful, and only said good things about others. Her love will continue. She helped raise many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Cecil Isaac Barker, Ermal Walter Barker; sisters, Ethel Barker Durham, Pansy Ada Barker, and Flora Barker Pardue Survivors include: Five brothers, Luther McKinley Barker and wife Georgia Lee of Roaring River, James Roosevelt Barker and wife Eva of Dobson, Kenneth Reece Barker and wife Betty of Raleigh, Benjamin Avery "Benny" Barker of Lexington, Glenn Rex Barker of Roaring River; two sisters, Mary Lee Welborn of Ronda, Hazel Blevins and husband Oscar of Roaring River; numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Oak Level Baptist Church by Rev. Elmer Harrison Barker. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin. The family will accept flowers or memorials may be made to Oak Level Baptist Church Cemetery Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.hodgesfuneralhomeinc.com Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin is serving the Barker family.
