Benjamin Forrest Barker

Born in Houston, moved to Cistern at age 7 years. Graduated Flatonia H.S. class of

2011. Played baseball until sidelined by permanent injury. Other sports included hunting,

fishing and competitive shooting. Ben loved music, had a beautiful voice and

accompanied himself on guitar. His vocation as chef led him to studies at the Cordon

Bleu Academy, Austin and employment at the Red Vault Bistro in Flatonia. Generous

and outgoing, he had a large circle of friends and was a loving son, brother and uncle.

When his work on earth was done, the Lord called our wonderful boy because he needed

another angel. He is greatly missed and mourned by all who knew and loved him. Ben,

you will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

He is survived by his mother Kathleen Ann McCann Barker, father George Croft Barker

Jr., siblings Caroline Ashley Barker, Claiborne Thomas Barker, William Robert Haynes

III, sister in law Michelle Lynn Haynes, nieces Emily Nicole Haynes, Mathilde Claiborne

Barker, grandmothers Anna Mae Fullilove Barker, Mary Ann Noren McCann and aunt

Charlotte Cherry Barker Reese.

Ben is now reunited in heaven with his beloved grandfathers "Grandaddy" George Croft

Barker and "Papa" Bernard Benjamin McCann as well as other friends and relatives who

preceded him.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am Friday, July 4, 2014 at Smith Funeral Home Chapel-Flatonia. Services will be held Saturday, July 5, 2014 at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tim Rowell officiating. Burial will follow at the Cistern Public Cemetery in Cistern.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.smithfuneralhomeflatonia.com.

Smith Funeral Home-128 East 5th St.-Flatonia, Texas 78941-Phone#-361-865-3311.