Ann Kathleen Barker

Ann Kathleen “Kate” Anders Barker 92 years young, of Denver, NC passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. 

Kate was born in Barnardsville, NC to the late John and Nellie Clyde Shepherd Anders. She married Johnny Cranford Barker in 1954 in Conway, SC.  They had five children together.

Kate was a gracious and loving wife, mother, friend, and avid bird watcher.  She was a rare jewel and lived for her family. You rarely saw Kate without Cranford. Their love for each other was not always stated verbally, but you knew the depth of their love by the way they treated each other.  You never saw one without the other. Calling each other “Mama” and “Daddy” they always looked to each other for everything.  She made her husband and children the focus of her life. She cared for her church family and friends as she did her family and gave of herself.

She lived a life of example, showing her love for Jesus and living for Him through her actions.  She enjoyed His creation and smiled as she spent time outside sitting on her porch, feeding, and watching her birds.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Johnny Cranford Barker. Also preceded in death by seven sisters (Agnes, Irene, Gladys, Louise, Pauline, Nell, and Faye) and six brothers (James, Emery “Red”, Guy, Edward, Glen David, Dean); brother-in-law and sister-in-laws James Barker (Lousie), Vaness Barker (Mary), Billie Barker (Ruth), Geneva Barker Powers (Edward), Mary Virginia Barker Dellinger (Ashby), Bobby Barker (Gladys) and Grady Barker (Doris); as well as daughter-in-law Annette Muse Barker.

She is survived by her children Ronald Barker (Sonya), Patricia Barker Parler (Robert), Sheila Barker, Johnny Barker (Lisa), and Trent Barker (Jennifer); grandchildren Dallas Barker, Tyler Barker Casella, Scout Barker, Haley Barker Glass, Emma Barker, and Harrison Barker and five great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by two brothers Tucker Anders (Shelby) and Robert Anders (Janet) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at Fairfield Methodist Church, Denver, NC. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Fairfield Methodist Church, 7860 Fairfield Forest Rd, Denver, NC  28037 or Hospice- Via Health Partners at www.giving@viahp.org

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.KepnerFH.com