Barbara Jean Barker

Winton, California - Barbara Jean Barker, 72, of Winton, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023, at the Merced Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Merced, while under hospice care. Barbara was born April 6. 1951, in Madera, the daughter of Henry Davis and Mary (Maisano) Davis.

Barbara graduated from Atwater High School, Class of 1969. Following graduation, Barbara attended beauty college and went on to secure her first career job as a beautician at Dee's Beauty Salon in Winton. Later in life, Barbara, while still a beautician at Dee's Beauty Salon, became a part-time bartender at the Outpost in Winton. Much later in life, Barbara took her hairstyling talents to Linda's House of Hair Styling in Atwater. Barbara's passion for her career as a beautician and love that she had for her customers, kept her working into the later years of her life. She was forced into an unwanted retirement in December of 2020 after she had an accidental fall and broke her hip. Her recovery had been a long hard road filled with

physical complications. In August, she had a successful hip replacement surgery and was determined to walk again, however, multiple health illnesses developed shortly thereafter. Barbara had a lengthy battle with the illnesses, but ultimately succumbed.

In addition to Barbara's parents, she was preceded in death by brother, Donald Davis, sister Patsy Tollefson, and brother, Johnny Davis. Surviving is her son, Ronald Smith Jr., of Merced, son, Ricky Smith, of Modesto, brother, Jackie Davis, of Davis, Texas, sister, Alameda Briggs, of Merced, sister, Jane Hickman, of Merced, sister, Elota Davis, of Atwater, sister, Sarah Lambert, of Winton, granddaughter, Kerstin Smith, of Ashland, Oregon, grandson, Troy Smith, of Merced, grandson, Derrik Smith, of Modesto, granddaughter, Katie Smith, of Modesto, and two great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B. Street, Merced. An additional viewing will be held at the same location on Friday, December 8, from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by services from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Winton Cemetery. Winton, followed by a reception for family and friends at the American Legion Hall, 939 W. Main Street, Merced.