Esther Lee Barker

Esther Lee Barker, 82, of Jonesboro, former longtime Manila resident and widow of Mr. Bobby Barker, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, at the Craighead Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late Aven and Ellen Poe Hodges and a 1954 graduate of Manila High School. She was a retired medical transcriptionist for the former George W. Jackson Mental Health Center in Jonesboro, a longtime member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Manila and a current member of Nettleton Baptist Church in Jonesboro. She was an avid sports fan and she enjoyed Razorback basketball, Cardinal baseball, working crossword puzzles and having her daily Coca-Cola. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Avis Ellen Hodges, Norma Veach and Bonnie Wagner.

Survivors include son, Bobby L. Barker and wife Carolyn of Manila; daughter, Beth Tate and husband Gaylon of Bono; brother, Darryl Hodges of the Buckeye Community. She also leaves three grandchildren, Dustin, Larson and wife April, and Allison; two great-grandchildren, Avery and Sadie Grace.

A funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila with the Rev. Stan Ballard officiating. Burial will follow in the Manila Cemetery.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Dustin Barker, Larson Tate, Bryan Wagner, Ray Veach, Aven Hodges and Kyle Hodges. 

The family will receive visitors Tuesday evening from 6-8 at the funeral home. 

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the loving care and concern shown to their loved one by the Craighead Nursing Center and Dierksen Hospice of Jonesboro.

Online guest register: www.howardfuneralservice.com