Norma Berniece Barker

Thursday, May 31, 1923 to Wednesday, July 08, 2015 A Resident of Ocean Springs, MS Visitation Services will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill, MO Norma Berniece Hawkins Barker age 92 formerly of Marble Hill, MO, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, in Ocean Springs, MS. She was born May 31, 1923, in Murphysboro, IL, daughter of Harry Frederick and Pearl Beatrice Jones Hawkins. She and George R. Barker were united in marriage on July 1, 1945 and he passed away on December 23, 2014. She and George attended the same schools through high school. Bernie went to the University of IL at Urbana, earning a music education degree. She taught in Zearing, IA; Woodland High School in Lutesville; and a year in Pensacola, FL while they were stationed there with the Navy. After George's discharge, they returned to Marble Hill, where she once again taught music both at Leopold and Woodland schools. George and Berniece owned the Barker Furniture and Appliance Store in Marble Hill, taking the operation of the store over from Harry and Pearl Hawkins following George's return from the Navy. They moved the store and enlarged their operation as the years progressed. In 1994, the Barkers retired and turned the store over to their daughter and son-in-law, Marc and Becki. After that, the Barkers split their time between St. Petersburg, FL and Marble Hill. Both were members of Lutesville Methodist Church, raising their children there. She taught in the church and was active in the music department. The family later joined First Baptist Church of Marble Hill. The family was very active in serving the church. She and George were active in the Optimist club, she enjoyed playing bridge and continued playing piano until her death. Bernie was also a member of the library board and helped, along with the board members, bring the Bollinger County Library into a more modern facility that has served the community for years. Bernie also was active as a parent and teacher in the PTO organization for the Woodland School district. Survivors include her daughters Jodi (James) Thompson of Jackson, MO; Rebecca (Marc) Massengale of Ocean Springs, MS; seven grandchildren, Sarah Thompson of Jackson, Samuel Thompson (Becky) of St. Louis, Mary Kathryn Massengale of Baltimore, Olivia Morgan Massengale of Ocean Springs, MS, Jennifer (Geoff) Lee of England, Emma Ruth Jones of Germany, Luke Russell Jones (Anna) of Miami and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son George R. "Rusty" Barker and daughter Mary Lisa Jones. A celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2015 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill, Missouri.

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Norma Berniece Barker

May 31, 1923 - July 8, 2015