Mary was a lifelong member of Glenwood Baptist Church / Indian Springs Baptist Church. She was faithful to her church and touched more lives than can be counted in the many positions held in the church throughout the years. Mary was dedicated to the church music ministry and served for over 70 years. She began playing the piano and organ for the church when she was 14 years old and continued playing up to the present time. Mary also shared her gift of music by playing for the residents of Kiwanis Towers, area nursing homes, countless weddings and funerals. Mary enjoyed being involved in all phases of church ministry, which included WMU – Women’s Missionary Union and Young at Heart. Mary was known for her kind and giving spirit. This was evident in the way she cared for her loved ones, church family, friends and through her volunteer work with various organizations.
She is preceded in death by her son, Lewis Allen Barker, Jr.; parents, Frank and Lizzie Lazenby; sister, Hilda Armstrong; and brother, James White.
Those left to cherish Mary’s memories include her husband of 62 years, Lewis Allen Barker; daughter Elizabeth (Calvin) King; son, Chris (Melanie) Barker; sisters, Phyllis Cannon and Oleta Howard; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Indian Springs Baptist Church – Glenwood Campus from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Funeral services will follow at 7:00pm at the church with Dr. Tiger Brooks and Dr. David Phillips officiating. Music provided by the Music Ministry of Indian Springs Baptist Church.
Graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 11:00am at Shelby Hills Cemetery in Bristol, TN.
Mary’s nephews will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made in Mary’s honor to Indian Springs Baptist Church – Glenwood Campus, 2601 E. Center Street, Kingsport, TN 37664. Online condolences may be made to the Barker family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the Barker family.
