Ronald Everett Barkley

Ronald Everett Barkley (“Ron”), born March 26, 1934 in Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ron is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Joanne Whitfield Barkley; his children, Rebecca Staab, Ronald Barkley and Daniel Barkley (and their spouses); his grandchildren, David, Andrew and Rachel Staab, Hannah, Benjamin, Olivia and Lily Barkley; his siblings Paul Barkley and Beverly Hadden; and four great grandchildren. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Vera Barkley and by his brother, David Barkley. Ron’s wife and children are deeply grateful for his gentleness, care and loyalty through the years.

Following his graduation from college, Ron became an ordained minister. Ron and Joanne served for two years with Campus Crusade before joining the Africa Evangelical Mission (“AEF”) and serving in Malawi for twenty eight years. During his decades in Malawi, Ron was instrumental in building up and supporting the local church and its local leaders by teaching at AEF’s seminary, mentoring and encouraging new pastors and preaching. Ron also provided a range of administrative support to AEF’s Malawi Field Office and founded the Christian Literature Association. Ron was passionate about local people being spiritually equipped in their own language. The Christian Literature Association built and operated a bookstore that offered a range of Christian literature in the local language of Chichewa. Ron also created an innovative mobile bookstore and trained “literature porters” to bring Bibles and other Christian resources to local people in many regions throughout the country. Following his return from Malawi, Ron served as AEF’s Chief Financial Officer in its home office in North Carolina and remained active in the financial department after AEF merged with SIM for a total of twenty years. Rebecca Staab reflects that Ron was “a quiet and faithful servant of Christ who made a significant impact in many places”.

A Funeral Service for Mr. Barkley will be held on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 10 am at McEwen Funeral Home - Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210.

A Graveside Service will follow immediately to Crown Memorial Park Cemetery, Pineville, NC 28134 at 11 AM.

On-line condolences may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.