Wanda Joyce Barker

Wanda Joyce Barker was born April 24, 1953, in Springfield, Missouri, to Paul Arthur and Helen Louise (Gebhardt) Darter. She passed away Monday, March 10, 2026 at her home in Mountain Grove, Missouri, at the age of 72 years, 10 months and 16 days.

In her younger years, Wanda attended Cabool High School in Cabool Missouri, where she ran track. She was one of the best on her team in hurdle jumping. As a thespian, she was also involved in Drama class. Whether it was from dramatic to comedic, she could portray any role! During her senior year, she was voted “Most Popular” and later graduated as a member of the class of 1971. In 1974, Wanda met the love of her life, Richard Jerry Barker, at a Nazarene Church. They later married in Mountain Grove.

Wanda was a social butterfly! Whether on the phone or in person, she loved to talk with people. She was known for going into town and visiting with others. Her five minute trips to the Richard’s Brothers grocery store would almost always take two hours! She also enjoyed writing. Even though she dreamed of having her works published, she decided to keep her written treasures within her heart, only sharing them with her family and closest friends.

Later in life, she enjoyed traveling! She enjoyed trips to the casinos where she would play the slot machines. She delighted in the sound the machines would make whenever she landed a winner. Upon her husband’s retirement, Wanda often traveled with him by his side. They would often travel to Biloxi or fly with a group of friends to the Bahamas. She adored the ocean.

However, let it be known Wanda’s main focus in life was her family! She enjoyed family gatherings, large ones at that! Every Sunday, she and her family would have dinner together, often involving barbeque. And taking care of her grandbabies, spoiling them actually, was her priority! In her eyes, the grandkids never did anything wrong! Her love for family also included her many fur-babies and other pets.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 51 years, and sisters, Linda, Nancy, Maxine and Pauline.

She is survived by her son, Jerry Wayne Barker (Rita) of Mountain Grove; daughter, Candice Haddock of Mountain Grove, Missouri; grandchildren, Brady Haddock (Leyna) of Cabool, Missouri, Brett Haddock of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Jeremy Barker (Monica) of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Shane Barker of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Sarah Grover (Randy) of Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Sheila Hemby (Nathaniel) of Spanaway, Washington; brother, Lonnie Darter (Sally) of Waterloo, Iowa; 11 great-grandchildren, other loving family and friends, and her female fur-baby, Jasper.

Memorial contributions may be made in Wanda’s name to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.