Barbara Johnson Barker

Barbara J. Barker, 85, of Seneca, was called to Heaven on April 3, 2023.

Barbara Ann Johnson was born in Washington, D.C. on March 10,1938 and was raised in Maryland, along with her sister, Christine. She also enjoyed spending time with her favorite cousin in Virginia, Shelba Funk. Barbara married Robert Barker and had 3 children. She moved with her family to Clemson in 1967. After her divorce in 1972, Barbara started working and supporting her family as a single mother. Her primary focus was God, her children, her friends and working. Her favorite jobs were at Duke Power, Clemson Alumni Center and Clemson’s Madren Center. Her closest friends include Rosemary Rhinehardt, Barbara Haile, Debbie DuBose, and Gloria Bashnan.

When Barbara retired, she immersed herself in her family and took many trips with her children and their families. She was thrilled when she became a grandmother and cherished her time spent with her grandchildren. She showered them with gifts to the point that they called her “Nana Claus”.

In addition to her church and her family and friends, Barbara also loved her dogs. Her favorites were Pepper and Annie. She also loved shopping (bargain hunting), scrap booking, Jazzercize and chocolate.

As Alzheimer’s started to rob Barbara’s memory, her son, Gary, and daughter-in-law, Karen (now deceased), became her guardians and they were fiercely protective. The word that describes Barbara best is “Love”. Barbara loved deeply. She loved God and her Catholic community, her family, her friends, her pets, her work colleagues, and her neighbors.

Barbara is pre-deceased by her parents, Walter and Florence Johnson and daughter-in-law, Karen Barker. She is survived by her sister, Christine Taylor; her children Gary Barker, Cathy Miller (Ray), Andy Barker (Andrea); her grandchildren Jessica Clark (Rob) and Andrea Bargerstock (Brennan); her great-grandchildren Kendall and Lennon; her nephew Shane Taylor and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Duckett-Robinson Funeral, 108 Cross Creek Road, Central, S.C.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 209 Sloan Street, Clemson, S.C.

Inurnment will be held at Memory Gardens at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Foothills, 390 Keowee School Road, Seneca, SC 29672 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 123 W. Atrium Drive, Greenville, SC 29607.

Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is assisting the Barker family.