George and Berniece Barker

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- George R. Barker, 92, formerly of Marble Hill, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, at The Gardens Assisted Living in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

George was born Aug. 1, 1922. He was the son of Thomas Rufus Barker and Estella Odessa Miller Barker. He spent most of his life in Marble Hill, where he attended the schools until graduation and then joined the Navy in the early years of World War II. Later he was sent to London, where he served as an administrative assistant helping to type up D-Day orders and plans.

As his children grew up and realized their father was active in much of the early part of America's participation in the war, they constantly requested he tell them stories. He rarely spoke of what he saw while in London, but he did discuss being sent to bomb shelters over and over during air raids, seeing friends and others killed by bombs and having to spend hours on a life raft in the North Atlantic when his mine sweeper was cut in two.

George married Norma Berniece Hawkins on July 1, 1945, while he was in the Navy. They started their married life in Pensacola, Florida, and lived there for a year until George finished his stint in the Navy. They returned to Marble Hill and started their family shortly after with the birth of their first child, Joyce Ellen. They both worked in the furniture store owned by Harry and Pearl Hawkins. Bernie also taught in the local high school.

By 1950, George and Berniece had taken over management of the furniture and appliance store, and the Hawkins had moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. George was involved in Rotary Club, other business clubs and also bowled regularly in the local bowling leagues. He later served as the president of the school board. He also was Sunday school superintendent of the Lutesville Methodist Church and taught a class for young adults. In 1998, he was voted "Business Man of the Year" by the local chamber of commerce.

George was always an avid sports fan and attended many volleyball and basketball games as a Woodland fan. He and his wife, Bernie, retired to St. Petersburg in 2000, where they continued to be sports fans watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Devil Rays baseball team. In 2014, the Barkers moved to Ocean Springs in order to be near their daughter and son-in-law, Marc and Becki Massengale.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, George R. "Rusty" Barker; and a daughter, Mary Lisa Jones.

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Norma Berniece Hawkins Barker, 92, formerly of Marble Hill, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2015, in Ocean Springs.

She was born May 31, 1923, in Murphysboro, Illinois, the daughter of Harry Frederick and Pearl Beatrice Jones Hawkins. She and George R. Barker were united in marriage July 1, 1945, and he passed away Dec. 23, 2014.

She and George attended the same schools through high school. Bernie went to the University of Illinois at Urbana, earning a music education degree. She taught in Zearing, Iowa, Woodland High School in Lutesville, and a year in Pensacola, while they were stationed there with the Navy. After George's discharge, they returned to Marble Hill, where she once again taught music both at Leopold and Woodland schools.

George and Berniece owned the Barker Furniture and Appliance Store in Marble Hill, taking the operation of the store over from Harry and Pearl Hawkins following George's return from the Navy. They moved the store and enlarged their operation as the years progressed. In 1994, the Barkers retired and turned the store over to their daughter and son-in-law, Marc and Becki Massengale. After that, the Barkers split their time between St. Petersburg and Marble Hill.

Both were members of Lutesville Methodist Church, raising their children there. She taught in the church and was active in the music department. The family later joined First Baptist Church of Marble Hill. The family was very active in serving the church.

She and George were active in the Optimist Club. Bernie enjoyed playing bridge and continued playing piano until her death. Bernie also was a member of the library board and helped, along with the board members, bring the Bollinger County Library into a more modern facility that has served the community for years. Bernie also was active as a parent and teacher in the PTO for the Woodland School District.

Survivors include her daughters Jodi (James) Thompson of Jackson and Rebecca (Marc) Massengale of Ocean Springs; seven grandchildren, Sarah Thompson of Jackson, Samuel (Becky) Thompson of St. Louis, Mary Kathryn Massengale of Baltimore, Olivia Morgan Massengale of Ocean Springs, Jennifer (Geoff) Lee of England, Emma Ruth Jones of Germany and Luke Russell (Anna) Jones of Miami; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, George R. "Rusty" Barker; and daughter, Mary Lisa Jones.

A celebration of life gathering for George and Bernie will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 28 at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.