Dr. Michael Lavon Barker

Michael Lavon Barker was born October 22, 1957 to the union of Lewis and Bennie Mae Barker in Fort Smith. He received his formal education in the Fort Smith Public Schools and later matriculated to Lane College, Jackson, TN, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He received the Master of Divinity Degree from The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA and then went on to earn his Ph.D from Christian Bible College and Seminary in Rocky Mount, NC.

After his ordination, Dr. Barker served 27 years in The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, as an itinerant pastor, four of which he was appointed District Superintendent of The Arizona District. He had pastored extensively across the United States, particularly in the states of Arkansas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and California. In 2002 he returned to Fort Smith to aid his brothers in the care of their parents and later united with The Greater Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Van Buren, Arkansas where he served as Associate Minister. He was also the founder of two churches, Hope Ministries in Tempe, AZ and Restoration Temple, Barling, AR. Dr. Barker also served as Vice Moderator of The Antioch Missionary Baptist District, Consolidated; Dean of The Congress of Christian Education; and Professor of Biblical Studies, Lyell Bible College, Barling, AR.

Dr. Barker is preceded in death by his father, Lewis Barker; and brother Gregory P. Barker.

He was married to the former Jessie Mae Wiggins of Walterboro, SC in whom he was very much in love with and was blessed to establish a blended family of six in which he was extremely proud of and one in which the term “step-child” never existed. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Jessie M. Barker, children Bobby Williams, Fort Smith, AR; Natalie K. Barker, Little Rock, AR; Dr. Angel S. Stone (Oscar), Johannesburg, South Africa; Chelsea D. Barker, Little Rock, AR; Wayne L. Williams, Atlanta, GA; and Tiffany L. Williams (Dominique), Little Rock, AR; mother, Bennie M. Barker; brother, Charles L. Barker (Jane) and sister-in-law Debra Barker. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Dondre, Jacqueline (MiQuel), Immanuel Dominique Jr., and DerJace; great-grandchild, JahQuel; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, May 8 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 North 12th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, May 9 at 11:00am at New Covenant International Christian Center, 4400 North N St, Fort Smith, AR 72904.