Pamyla Joy Barker

Born August 15, 1946 in Peoria to Dean E. and Treva L. (Lingenfelter) Allen, she married Rev. Raymond “Ray” Barker on June 4, 1966 in Pekin. He survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Rev. Dr. Jeffrey (Stacey) Barker of New York City, David (Keri) Barker of Mitchell, Indiana and Rev. Gregory (Teresa) Barker of Fort Wayne, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley) McKibben, Madalyn (Ryan) Miller, Benjamin Barker, Emily (Miguel) Barker, Myah (Ifeanyi) Egwuonwu, Abigail (Douglas) Barker and Isabelle Barker; three great-grandchildren, Oliver Miller, Shiloh Miller and Allen Egwuonwu and two brothers, Dexter (Sandra) Allen of Clayton, Georgia and Daryl (Jan) Allen of Decatur.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Cynthia Barker and one sister, Priscilla Gesell.

A homemaker, Pam also supported her husband in pastoral ministry with the Church of the Nazarene in Lacon and at North Side in Peoria. In Lacon she was the director of Bible Quizzing and had a gift for helping young people memorize Bible verses. She developed a passion herself for memorizing Scripture and was known for regularly sending greeting cards with handwritten notes. In addition to attending Bible studies, Pam enjoyed reading, cruises, cross stitch, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was proud to have attained two associate degrees from Illinois Central College.

Pam was a devoted member of Pekin First Church of the Nazarene.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Pekin First Church of the Nazarene. Pastor W. Lloyd Brock will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Burial will follow in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center, P.O. Box 1555, Champaign, IL 61824 or to Susan G. Komen, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, Texas 75380.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com