Loving Husband

CLYDE — Earl Barker, 72, of 2856 Broad St., passed away Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at Memorial Mission Hospital.

A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late James Garland Barker and Emma Queen Barker and was also preceded in death by a sister, Ferbia Bryant, and one brother, Richard Barker.  Earl was the proprietor of Economy Plumbing, a business which he owned and operated for 36 years; his son, James, plans to carry on the business in Earl’s honor.  Earl enjoyed building and racing cars and raced his own racecar for more than 40 years.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lillian Bishop Barker; two brothers, Frelo Barker, and wife, Emma, and Arlin Barker, and his wife, Lana; two sisters, Wilamae Rathbone, and her husband, James, and Wanda Mills; five children, Deborah Burgess, and husband, Hubert, Quinton Barker, Delsie Barker, and her companion, Roy Douville, Dennette Barker, and her companion, Jason Carter, and James Barker; 11 grandchildren, Michelle Burnette, Ben Jones, Jonathan Jones, Jacob Yon, Quinton Barker, Jr., Wendy Jones, Crystal Owen, Deecee Jones, Brittany Barker, Heather Mathis and Blaze Barker; 15 great-grandchildren; and several other family members and special friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Rev. Brian Roberts officiating.  Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. prior to services at the funeral home.

An online memorial register is available at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.