Sussex County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Barker, G. Louise Burch, 2001 

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GLADYS LOUISE BURCH BARKER 

  WAKEFIELD - Louise Burch Barker, 88, widow of J. Nicholas Barker Sr., died 
Saturday, March 17, 2001.  Arrangements by Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield.

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  Louise Burch Barker, 88, a resident of Wakefield died Saturday, March 17, 
2001 after a short illness.  Born on May 16, 1912 in Hampton, Va., she was the 
daughter of the late Rev. William Gerard Burch and Nannie Towsey Burch.  Mrs. 
Barker was a Christian woman in the fullest sense.  She was known as a humble, 
generous, and compassionate servant to her family and many friends.  Following 
her graduation from Blackstone College, Mrs. Barker worked at the Virginia 
Methodist Orphanage in Richmond.  She later taught elementary school in 
Franklin, Ivor, Wakefield, and at Tidewater Academy in Wakefield.  Through the 
years she served in many capacities as a devoted member of Wakefield United 
Methodist Church.  She was the superintendent of the Children's Department of 
the church for 43 years, participated in the United Methodist Women, founded 
the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, sang in the church choir for many years 
and directed the Vacation Bible School many times.  She was also a member of 
the Wakefield Women's Club.  She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Anne 
Barker Gedris and her husband, William Richard Gedris of Layton, Utah; 
daughter-in-law, Peggy Coddington Barker of Wakefield; seven grandchildren, 
Michael Gedris and his wife, Christa, Kathy G. Buxton and her husband, Mark, 
David Gedris and his wife, Theresa, Susan Gedris, Lisa Barker, Todd Barker and 
Karen Barker; three great-grandchildren, Kira Louise Gedris, Danyon Michael 
Gedris and Nicholas James Buxton; two brothers, Wilbur A. Burch and his wife, 
Dolores, of Wakefield and Grayson V. Burch and his wife, Evelyn of Chester; 
two sisters, Bertha B. Childress and her husband, Willis of Richmond and 
Lottie B. Birdsall and her husband, Calvin of Rushmere.  Mrs. Barker was 
preceded in death by her husband, James Nicholas Barker; her son, James N. 
Barker Jr.; two brothers, William G. Burch Jr. and John W. Burch; and two 
sisters, Grace Burch and Joy B. Sheffey.  A funeral service will be held in 
Wakefield United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at 11 a.m. 
Burial will be in Wakefield Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at 
the residence on Main Street on Monday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m.  Memorial 
donations may be made to the United Methodist Family Services of Virginia, 
3900 W. Broad Street, Richmond, Va. 23230, the Wakefield United Methodist 
Church or to any favorite chartiy benefitting children.  Purviance Funeral 
Home, Wakefield is handling arrangements.


Gladys Louise (BURCH; Mrs. J. Nicholas Sr.) BARKER, retired teacher, 
b. 16 May 1912, Hampton, d. 17 Mar 2001, 
interred in Wakefield Cemetery*, 8 Apr 1998, 
"The Daily Press" (Newport News, VA), Mar. 18, 2001, p. 22; 
"Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch," Mar. 18, 2001, 
   posted with Find a Grave Mem. #23306883 

*Wakefield list, an extension of the 
   Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/sussex/cemeteries/wakefd.txt 

Her parents are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ashland, Hanover Co., VA. 
   (Find a Grave Mem. #24037439 &c.) 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), 
and re-formatted by File Manager. 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/sussex/obits/b626l1ob.txt