Joy Alene Bennett Barker's Obituary
Funeral services for Joy Alene Bennett Barker, 78, of Simpson, Louisiana will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at the Simpson Baptist Church with Bro. Jeremy Blocker officiating. Burial will follow in the Welcome Cemetery, under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 27th, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the church.
Alene, the daughter of Elder R. and Susie E. Beebe Cooley was born December 6, 1936 in Sharp-Lena, LA. She passed away at her residence in Simpson, Sunday, October 25, 2015.
Mrs. Barker retired in 1988 from Federal Civil Service Office of Resource Management at Fort Polk, LA. She was a genealogist and published author of two family history books; One Bennett Clan & One Collins Clan in 1996 and Cooley & Rachal Ancestors & Descendants in 2003. She was a Chalk Art Artist, presenting biblical stories in chalk art form before local churches and nursing homes.
Alene was a Christian and member of Simpson Baptist Church, Simpson, LA, and member of the Order of Easter Star, J.T. Charnley #197, Alexandria, LA. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her family deeply. This deep love inspired her to research, compile, and publish two family history books that are located in the Library of Congress. Her greatest accomplishment was the privilege of being “Nana” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Elder and Susie Beebe Cooley; brother, Donovan Cooley; husbands, Pervis Bennett (father of her children) and R. M. “Sonny” Barker and brother-in-law, Doyle Elwyn Knight.
She is survived by her children, Connie Bennett Hilger (James E. Hilger) and Roger Bennett (Ramona); sister, Betty Sue Cooley Knight Brown (Jerry); stepchildren, Dawn Barker Starkey and Deah Barker Adams (Dan) ; grandchildren, Courtney Hilger Gaspard (Garon), William T. “Tid” Hilger (Rebecca), Rebekah LeAnn Bennett, Rachel Lauren Bennett; step-grandchildren, Jason Starkey (Ashley) and Danielle Adams and great grandchildren, Kipton Gaspard & Katelynn Starkey.
Memorials may be made to Simpson Baptist Church, P.O. Box 37 Simpson, LA 71474, Simpson Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 334, Simpson, LA 71474 or Campbell Creek Cemetery, 2230 Retreat Street West Pineville, LA 71360
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