Irene L. Barker, daughter of the late Alvin and Eva Blocker was born on May 9, 1925, in Stoddard County and died on Dec. 22, 2013, at her residence in Bernie.
Mrs. Barker was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bernie and was a homemaker.
On Oct. 18, 1940, she was united in marriage to Billy Joe Barker in Malden, Mo. Mr. Barker preceded her in death on Aug. 20, 1996.
She is survived by one son and daughter in law, Jerry and wife Sue Barker of Bernie; by one daughter and son in law, Betty and husband Jerrell Stone of Bernie; by two brothers, Alvin Blocker of Marble Hill, Mo. and Jessie Blocker of Colorado Springs, Colo.; by three grandchildren, Sherri Barker, Amanda Stone Phillips and husband Gary, and Jeffrey and wife Carla Stone; by seven great-grandchildren, Mecca Murphy, Caleb Murphy, Lyndsey Stone, Tatum Stone, Mabree Stone, Bryce Simmons and Brock Simmons.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Jack Blocker, Russell Blocker and Charles Blocker; and by one grandchild, Jackie Barker Simmons.
Visitation will take place at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at 1 p.m. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Steve Fitzpatrick officiating. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Stoddard County Children's Home, P.O. Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841 or to KOKS Christian Radio c/o Nina Stewart, 2773 Barron Road, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.