Annie Barker

Annie (Ann) J Barker, 97 passed away on April 12, 2024, in Fort Pierce, Florida.

She was born in Dallas, Texas on June 11,1926. Her parents were Clyde Harvey and Mamie (Meier) Harvey. Ann joined brother, Clyde and sisters, Vera and Lillian. The Harvey's moved to Abilene, Texas where the family was completed with the births of Joan and Jack.

Ann graduated from Abilene High School around 1944. She worked at Camp Barkeley before following her older sisters to Washington DC to work at the Pentagon for a short time. Ann followed her sisters again to live and work in San Francisco. In SF, she worked as a telephone operator while running a small diner with her sisters. She often reminisced about her years in San Francisco with great fondness.

Her telephone career spanned 35 years before taking an early retirement at Southwestern Bell.

After WWII Ann returned to Abilene where she continued her work at the telephone company. She soon became reacquainted and married Cephus Eugene "Gene" Barker, a childhood friend of Ann's older sister. They had 2 children, Richard and Kathryn. They were married for almost 52 years before Gene's death.

Ann and Gene lived and raised their children in Abilene, Tx. They loved traveling, camping, boating and RVing. After Gene's passing in 2002, Ann continued to travel extensively with friends and family. During her life Ann also enjoyed reading, attending theater, cross stitching, exercising, was a member of Red Hat Society, Silver Sneakers, and Bible Study groups. Her life was one of devotion to her family and her many, many friends. She was well loved.

She attended Church of Heavenly Rest in Abilene, Texas for over 50 years before moving to Florida in 2015.

Ann is survived by her son, Richard "Rich" (Barbara "Slim") Barker of Fort Pierce, FL; her daughter, Kathryn (William "Bill") Manor of Venice, FL; her sister, Joan Nebel of Stafford, VA; her grandchildren, Falon (Thomas Larcher) Barker, Crystal Baima (Christopher) , Jeremy Manor, Joshua (Michele) Manor, and Joanna (Joseph) Gustafson; and her great grandchildren, Lyla Barker Bray, Saoirse Baima, Mason Gustafson, Natalie Gustafson, Elsa Gustafson, Remington Manor, Hemingway Manor, and Maverick Manor, nieces & nephew and close family friend Patty Thomas.

Ann wished to be buried next to Gene in Abilene, TX. A memorial service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, 5000 Dunn Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, 34981.