Betty "Mimi" Ann Barker

Betty Ann Barker, known more as Mimi, born August 27, 1930, age 90, of Sarasota, Florida passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on August 21, 2021 with family members by her side. She held a Master’s Degree in Education from Texas Christian University and served as an Elementary Teacher throughout most of her career, shaping the lives of innumerous children.

The foundation of her life was her love of God and her family, and she passed that on to her children. She was always an avid reader and had an unquenchable thirst for learning. She finished High School on a weekend and started at Texas Christian University the next Monday. Within the first few weeks, she met Aaron Troy Barker at a skating party. Via intermittent encounters during his studies, service in the war, and his early pastoral duties, they fell in love. She graduated on May 31, 1950, and they were married the next day, on June 1, 1950.

She began teaching right away but soon quit to start a family of five. She was a stay-at-home Mom for fifteen years. As a young Mother, she was active in PTA, a den mother for Boy Scouts, President of the Classroom Teachers, Member of Delta Kappa Gamma, active in Church Women United, and couples’ bridge.

Once her children had grown, in 1979, she and Aaron began hosting exchange students, many of whom are still members of the Family. They eventually hosted twenty-five exchange students from ten countries.

In her Sarasota years, she participated in the Newcomers Groups, a Book Club, regular bridge games, and a luncheon group. She kept herself busy by volunteering: working with disabled children in a swimming program at Oak Park; telling stories to groups at the YMCA and in the church nursery. She spent twelve years volunteering at Resurrection House, five years rocking babies at Children First, and ten years with Elderhostel/Road Scholar as a hostess. She was active as a Church Women United program leader, in the Disciples of Christ church choir and CWF. She spent fifteen years as an usher at the Van Wezel and seven years at the Historic Asolo Theater as a volunteer.

She believed in personal touches. She was a constant letter writer. She made the best soup in the world, which always contained huge scoops of the main ingredient: Love. She always had a positive outlook on life and helped others see the good in every situation; “Guess I’m in pretty good shape for the shape I’m in. I give thanks every day for my family and all my blessings.”

She is survived by four of her children and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be missed around the world.

A Memorial Service in her memory will be held on October 2, 2021 at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church, 6116 Crestwood, Sarasota, FL at 4PM to be followed by a picnic. October was her favorite month and she loved October picnics!

For memorial gifts, please make a charitable donation in lieu of flowers to Resurrection House https://www.resurrectionhousesarasota.org/, Heifer International https://www.heifer.org/ or Christian Church Disciples of Christ https://disciples.org/