Obituary of Ruth Barker

Ruth Ann Davis Barker, 87, a lifelong resident of Morgantown and Brookhaven, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2011 at Monongalia General Hospital.Ruth was born October 12, 1923 in the home of her grandparents at âthe bridgeâ near Rock Forge, the eldest daughter of the late William John and Margaret Katherine Blakley Davis. Ruth was baptized as a child in the Brookhaven Methodist church where she remained a lifelong member. Ruth lived most of her life within a mile of her birthplace and, along with her beloved husband Barnie, built her home in Brookhaven on lands adjoining her motherâs home in 1951. Ruth married the love of her life, William Pembrook âBarnieâ Barker, Jr. on January 13, 1945. They were blessed with the birth of their eldest son, William David âDaveâ Barker in December of 1946. Dave was killed in a tragic automobile accident in 1966, and Barnie passed away unexpectedly in 1982. Along with her sons Dan and Dennis, Ruth endured. She completed 30 years of labor at Sterling Faucet and retired in 1986.After retirement, Ruth found fulfillment for many years as a Volunteer with the Monongalia General Hospital Auxiliary. She was an avid gardener taking great pride in her home and gardens. She enjoyed traveling with the senior groups and attended luncheons and functions often. Ruth enjoyed cooking, canning and entertaining friends and family and especially loved visitors to her back porch. Ruth took great pride in her Welsh ancestry and could still sing the songs and lullabies learned in her youth. Quoting her niece Jane, âI just lost one of the most wonderful, graceful, genteel ladies I have ever known, my Aunt Ruth. She had qualities that Iâve always aspired to obtain and she will be greatly missed in this world.â Ruth is survived by her son James Daniel Barker and wife Dollie, son Richard Dennis Barker, all of Brookhaven, a sister, Dorothy E. Davis Foy of Hudson, FL, a sister-in-law, Ruby J. Davis of Masontown, WV, a brother-in-law Tony Fumich of Westover, nineteen nieces and nephews and a very special âsonâ, Ron Hicks of Star City. In addition to her parents, husband and eldest son, Ruth was preceded in death by her brothers, Emlyn Thomas Davis, William R. Davis, Robert Lewis Davis, James Blethyn Davis and most recently her precious sister Nellie Davis Kinsley. She also lost two brothers in infancy.Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, 7- 9 on Tuesday, May 24, from 2-4 and 6-8 Wednesday, May 25. Visitation will continue at the Brookhaven United Methodist Church on Thursday May 26 from 10:00a.m.until the time of the funeral service at 11:00a.m. with Reverend Earnest Watkins officiating. Interment will follow in Lawnwood Cemetery, Morgantown.