Alice Alberta "Birdie" Barker

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Alice Alberta "Birdie" Barker, 88, of the Milligan Ridge Community, near Caraway, passed from this life Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, at Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born at Kennett, Mo., she was the daughter of the late John A. and Fannie Lee Clayton Vail and had lived most of her life in Milligan Ridge. She was the widow of Lealun Barker, a homemaker and a member of the Milligan Ridge Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, canning and helping others.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a daughter, Roxie Ann Barker, and a granddaughter, Desarhea Sitz.

She is survived by three sons, Eddie Joe Barker of Jonesboro, Billy Wade Barker of Milligan Ridge and Ricky Lee Barker of Caraway; two daughters, Mae Esther Hicks of Caraway and Bonnie Hensley of Caraway; two sisters,

Nell Brown of Casa Grande, Ariz., and Dorothy Demetri of Mesa, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.

Funeral service was 2 p.m. Saturday at the Milligan Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Waymon Holt officiating. Burial followed in Manila Cemetery under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Manila.

The family received visitors Friday evening from 6-8 at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila.

Guest register is howardfuneralservice.com.