Laura Barker, 90, of Durant, Okla., passed away on Oct. 18, 2020. She was born March 8, 1930 in Bennington, Okla. to David and Ruby Brackett. Laura grew up in Boswell and graduated valedictorian. She attended East Central University and completed her bachelor’s degree later in life at Southeastern. She married Lewis Barker in 1949 and had their first son, David, while living in Hobbs, N.M. They settled in Durant several years later and had their second son, John.
Laura loved and excelled at every job she had. She was secretary for First Baptist Church in Durant. She later worked for the Experienced Americans Program and eventually became director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Durant. She organized volunteer activities, conferences, and group trips for senior citizens in the area before such opportunities became available and accessible as they are now. Laura retired from Southeastern as coordinator in the continuing education department where she specialized in community education programs.
Love and devotion to family, friends, and Jesus were Laura’s priorities. She was completely devoted to her husband, Lewis, and worked quietly behind the scenes to help him succeed in his career and his church leadership roles. Laura dearly loved her sons and their families and every precious moment of family time. Laura excelled in the kitchen too and every meal was prepared with love and served at the table, prayer included.
In later years, she cared for her mother and then Lewis as their health declined, and she made sure that her aunts and uncles never felt forgotten and had the care that they needed.Laura cherished all her friendships, many of which were lifelong, and she had a unique place in the hearts of those who knew her. She was active in UDC and Ohoyahoma Club and later in life helped grow and settle the Three Valley Museum in its present location.
Laura loved life and walked through it with the Lord. She and Lewis dedicated time, talent, and resources to First Baptist Church of Durant in its mission expressed in John 3:16. In recent years, Laura is remembered as a member of the church’s Adult III class and for her work with the clothes closet program.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents, David and Ruby Brackett of Boswell; husband, Lewis Barker, and son David Barker of O’Fallon, Ill.
She is survived by David’s family: wife, Diane Barker of O’Fallon, Ill., daughter, Aubrey Pieper and her husband Ben and their children, son Tim Barker, daughter Emily Barker, and daughter Natalee Skelton and her husband Evan. She is also survived by her son John Barker and his wife Becky and their sons Reed and Riley of Norman, Okla.
Family hour will be from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla. A graveside service to honor her life will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23 at the Restland Cemetery in Boswell, Okla.
Honorary pallbearers are Tim Barker, Ben Pieper, Evan Skelton, Reed Barker, and Riley Barker.
The family suggests donations to First Baptist Church of Durant in memorial to Laura.
Services are under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla.
