Alice Alberta 'Birdie' Barker

Alice Alberta "Birdie" Barker, 88, of the Milligan Ridge Community, near Caraway, passed from this life Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Kennett, Mo., she was the daughter of the late John A. and Fannie Lee Clayton Vail and had lived most of her life in Milligan Ridge. She was the widow of Mr. Lealun Barker, a homemaker and a member of the Milligan Ridge Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, canning and helping others. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a daughter, Roxie Ann Barker and a granddaughter, Desarhea Sitz.

She leaves three sons, Eddie Joe Barker of Jonesboro, Billy Wade Barker of Milligan Ridge and Ricky Lee Barker of Caraway;

Two daughters, Mae Esther Hicks and Bonnie Hensley of Caraway;

Two sisters, Nell Brown of Casa Grande, Ariz., and Dorothy Demetri of Mesa, Ariz.; and

Twelve grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Milligan Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Waymon Holt officiating. Burial will follow in Manila Cemetery under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Manila. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. today at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila. A guest register is available @www.HowardFuneralService.com