Nancy Catherine Barker

Today we honor and celebrate the life of Nancy Catherine Rogers Barker who was welcomed into the gates of heaven and the loving arms of Jesus Christ and her husband, James Douglas Barker, on Wednesday the 17th of May 2023. She was born to Lydia Francis Milliner Rogers and Lawrence Kendrick Rogers in Louisville, Ky. on January 4th, 1924. One of four children, she was preceded in death by her brother Earl and her two sisters- Bernice and Doris.

Catherine/Kit met the love of her life- James Douglas Barker- while he and his brothers were selling home grown vegetables off the back of their fathers’ mule drawn wagon. After the appropriate courting period they were joined in matrimony on May 2nd, 1942, and were bound together by more than 50 years of love, patience, tolerance, respect, adversity, reconciliation; and the fact that they consummated their union by bringing TEN children into this glorious and adventurous partnership that they had created.

Kit and Doug lived in Louisville until 1953 at which time they packed up their worldly possessions-which consisted of the five children they had at the time- and moved to some far away land called Pinckney, Michigan. She was the foundation upon which the family built a new beginning. Her husband and children (Don, Jim, Marva, Garland, and Nancy) may have been in unfamiliar territory, but she was there to reassure everyone with her love, laughter, protection, quiet strength, and positive outlook. The Michigan transplant caused a slight delay in “family building” for Mom and Dad. But the production line (a Michigan automobile term) produced another five offspring between 1954 and 1964 (Steve, John, Lydia, Betty, and Max). During the Michigan era, the family would reside in five different homes in the Pinckney area. As the family grew the need for more room increased. Mom once remarked that “it sometimes seems that all your Dad has to do is hang his trousers on the bedpost and another baby is born”. But she said it with that glorious smile on her face. Never one to leave a job unfinished, Mom found time to complete her high school education in 1970 when she was awarded her GED. A forty-six-year-old graduate.

The Texas era began for Mom and Dad in 1974 when they transported themselves and the remaining cubs (John, Lydia, and Betty) to Carrollton, Tx. for the new adventure. It was at this point that mom finally had an opportunity to explore the possibilities of finding a “real job”. She never considered the fact that her family was a job. Her family was a garden that she could enrich with her positive and supportive personality. A garden to be nurtured and meticulously tended to. Over the next few years, she held several jobs, but her true calling was garage and estate sales. After relocating to Mabank from Carrollton, Mom and Dad found their final homestead on Cedar Creek Lake. Her eye for antiques and items undervalued by others led her to many happy years of flea market activity. Her booth in Mabank and Gun Barrel City, Tx was a weekly “must stop” for customers and fellow exhibitors. People would marvel over her “finds” and share a cup of coffee with Miss Congeniality. Mom continued to reside in their home after the passing of the love of her life-Doug- in April 1993. In 2012, she left her home to live under the love and care of her daughter Marva.

Upon her transition from this life of 99 years on earth, Mom was greeted by those who had gone before her. Her husband: Doug; her sons: Max, Steve and Garland; her grandkids: John Klaczynski and David Barker. As well as her parents: Lydia & Lawrence Rogers, her siblings Earl, Bernice and Doris; her many beloved brothers and sisters-in-law to numerous to mention without fear of forgetting someone.

Nancy Catherine Rogers Barker leaves behind a legacy that includes seven children and beloved spouses: Don (Diana) Barker, Jim (Margarette) Barker, Marva Barker, Nancy Barker Linz, John Barker, Lydia (Ed) Barker Klaczynski, Elizabeth (Ricky) Barker Simmons. Treasured siblings by marriage Nora (99), Bill (97) and Juanita (93); twenty grandchildren and thirty-two great grandchildren. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing this incredible soul be a part of our earthly existence. May her smile light up the heavens above for the remainder of our time here on earth.

Love you Mom…see you soon!!

A visitation for Nancy will be held Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Eubank Cedar Creek. A a funeral service will occur Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 11:00 AM, 601 South 3rd Street, Mabank, Texas. A reception after service will occur Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 12:45 PM to 2:00 PM.

Serving as pallbearers are Don Barker, Jim Barker, John Barker, Clint Barker, Kenneth Barker, Blake Barker, Steve Barker and Garland Barker.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eubankcedarcreek.com for the Barker family.