Verna Barker, 84, of Phelps, Kentucky passed away late Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at Solara Hospital in Muskogee, OK. She was born August 26, 1925 in Rural Pike County, KY, the daughter of Ferrel & Valentine (Hurley) Dotson.

Mrs. Barker greatly enjoyed the company of family and friends and was well known throughout her community as a wonderful and bountiful cook. Everyone who entered her home was made to feel welcome and comfortable. She was an avid quilter and seamstress and made quilts for almost everyone in her family. Though she suffered severe arthritis for decades, her work was beautifully detailed and delighted everyone who saw it.

She was widowed at the age of 37 with five children at home and encouraged all of them to get a good education and be productive members of their community. She worked hard and provided well for her family against great odds.

Mrs. Barker was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Vernon McCoy and Brady Jackson; her husband, Raymond W. Barker; her son, Jerry L. Barker; her grandson, Matthew P. Barker, and her great granddaughter, Arianna Barker.

She is survived by her daughter, Ann Barker Ong and husband, Yee Se of Muskogee, OK; daughter Carol Brown and husband, Gary of Hurley, VA; son, Raymond “Pete” Barker and wife, Alesha of Lexington, KY; and son T.W. "Woody" Barker of Pikeville, KY; fourteen grandchildren; ten great

grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; her brother, Charles Jackson and wife, Shirley of Morristown, TN; sisters, Verniece Hurley and husband, Samuel Jr. of Stopover, KY; and Velma Jackson of Jacksonville, FL; and daughter-in-law, Tennie Barker of Winston-Salem, NC.

Funeral services for Mrs. Barker are scheduled at R.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home in Phelps, KY at 11:00 AM Monday, October 26 with burial in the family cemetery at Phelps immediately following.

The family has entrusted Bradley Family Funeral Service of Muskogee with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mrs. Barker's home congregation, Shepard Memorial Presbyterian Church, 50764 State Highway 194 East, Stopover, KY 41568 (please write "food pantry" in the memo line); phone 606-456-3408.

Friends may send condolences to the family on the web page www.bradleyfuneralservice.com.